"I can become one of the best athletes" - Emma Raducanu makes bold claim after confirming massive decision involving ex-Maria Sharapova coach
Emma Raducanu recently made a bold claim about her on-court potential after confirming that she has hired Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka’s former fitness coach. The Brit also shared a positive update about their new partnership.
In November, it was reported that Raducanu was in talks with Sharapova’s former fitness coach, Yutaka Nakamura. Sharapova and Nakamura’s partnership spanned almost eight years (2011-2018), during which the former Russian tennis player won two of her five Grand Slams (at the French Open in 2012 and 2014). Maria Sharapova also reached World No. 1 twice during their collaboration.
The Japanese fitness coach was also briefly associated with Naomi Osaka, assisting her during her 2020 US Open and 2021 Australian Open title runs.
Emma Raducanu recently confirmed the rumor about her new partnership with Nakamura. Speaking to the Telegraph, she said:
"Yutaka is going to be with me a lot next year."
She also dissected how the pair’s team-up is likely to yield favorable results for her, pointing out the similarities in their work ethic.
"We’re quite similar in the sense that we’re very focused with our work: we’re not talking or chit-chatting about other things," Emma Raducanu said. "It’s nice to have someone who’s on the same sort of wavelength as you."
Expressing optimism about her future success, the 2021 US Open champion added:
"I think he is going to help me just really explore how far I can go, like, athletically. It’s a big strength of mine that I have nowhere near fulfilled. I think I can become one of the best athletes out there in tennis."
"It's a lot more integrated" – Emma Raducanu on adding Maria Sharapova's former fitness coach after reuniting with her childhood coach
Emma Raducanu's yet to win a title since her maiden trophy at the 2021 US Open. The player has suffered several injury-related setbacks in the past few years. Meanwhile, many experts have also blamed the Brit’s frequent coaching changes for her wavering form.
However, when Raducanu staged her comeback in 2024 after three surgeries, she announced that she had reunited with her childhood coach, Nick Cavaday. Cavaday coached the former World No. 10 across 2024 and is set to continue his role come 2025.
"And the way I’m working with him (new fitness coach, Yukata Nakamura) and Nick (Cavaday), it’s a lot more integrated," she said in the aforementioned interview.
Speaking about her form going into the new season, the Brit said:
"I feel really strong. I feel really fit. The only thing I can’t really speak for, is I haven’t played that many matches," she said.
Raducanu registered 23 wins against 13 losses this season, with a repeat fourth-round appearance at the Wimbledon Championships being her highlight. The 22-year-old, who is presently ranked World No. 59, will look to commence her 2025 journey with renewed hope, starting with the ASB Classic in Auckland.