Emma Raducanu is entering the new year with a fresh perspective on her career and life. After a tumultuous 2024, which included a series of injuries and missed opportunities, Raducanu took time to reflect and reevaluate her approach to tennis and beyond. This period of introspection came after an injury forced her to retire from her quarter-final match at the Korea Open in September, a setback that ended her season prematurely. The break allowed her to reconnect with her roots and explore her creative side, which she had neglected during the intense demands of her professional tennis career.
During her time off, Raducanu visited her grandmother in China, where she practiced her Mandarin and embraced her artistic interests. She spent time playing the piano and painting, activities that helped her find balance outside of the tennis court. This period of reflection was pivotal in helping her reassess her priorities and set new goals for the future.
Raducanu has come to realize the importance of staying healthy and maintaining a consistent fitness routine. Injuries have been a major theme throughout her career, and they were particularly disruptive in 2024. She underwent surgeries on both wrists and her left ankle, which caused her to miss much of the season. Despite these setbacks, Raducanu had a few bright spots in her year, including a strong run between April and July that saw her climb back into the top 100 after a low ranking of No. 303 in April. However, her lack of match practice was evident in her early exit at the US Open, where she was eliminated in the first round.
In light of these challenges, Raducanu has decided to take a more proactive approach to her physical fitness. She has hired Yutaka Nakamura, a renowned fitness coach who has worked with top players like Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka, to join her team. With Nakamura’s expertise, Raducanu hopes to ensure that her physical preparation is as strong as her tennis skills. She also plans to travel with a fitness coach to maintain a consistent training routine, something that was difficult to manage in the past when her fitness sessions often took a backseat to other commitments.
One of the most significant changes Raducanu has made is to her mindset about the sport. After her historic US Open victory in 2021, where she became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam, Raducanu’s expectations skyrocketed. She admits that after achieving such an extraordinary feat so early in her career, she struggled with the pressure to replicate that success. The constant pursuit of another Grand Slam title felt unsustainable, and Raducanu has come to understand that this mindset was not conducive to long-term success or happiness.
For the upcoming season, Raducanu is focusing on the process rather than the outcome. She has shifted her goals from simply winning trophies to enjoying the journey of improving her game. Her primary objective is to embrace the daily work that comes with being a professional athlete, rather than fixating on rankings or titles. She believes that by focusing on the process, she can find a more sustainable path forward in her career. This approach also allows her to enjoy the game without the constant pressure to win, which can be mentally exhausting.
Raducanu’s new approach extends beyond her tennis career and into her relationship with the media. The intense attention she received after her US Open victory created challenges in managing her public image. She acknowledges that her relationship with journalists has evolved over the years. In the past, she viewed the media as something separate from her, but now she sees it as a relationship that requires mutual understanding and respect. Raducanu has also become more adept at managing her off-court commitments, learning to say “no” when necessary to protect her energy and focus on her tennis.
Looking ahead to 2025, Raducanu is determined to make the most of her opportunities while maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle. She is ready to take on a heavier tournament schedule, which will help her build both physical and mental resilience. By embracing the daily grind of professional tennis and focusing on the process of improvement, Raducanu hopes to achieve long-term success without being weighed down by the pressure of immediate results. This shift in mindset will not only help her on the court but also allow her to enjoy the sport and her life off it in a more fulfilling way.
