Emma Raducanu hires fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura
Emma Raducanu begins working with Yutaka Nakamura, a fitness trainer best known for her work with Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka.
The 22-year-old, who will fly to Brisbane next week for some warm-weather training ahead of the new season, said Nakamura will be with her for “pretty much the majority of the year”.
Injuries have been a hindrance to Raducanu’s career since she won the 2021 U.S. Open as a junior.
But after a trial earlier in the fall, she felt now was the perfect time to add a dedicated fitness expert to her team.
“I think he’s going to help me really explore how far I can go, just like athletically,” Raducanu said.
“I think that’s one of my big strengths, but I’m far from there yet. I think I can be one of the best players in tennis and I’m just looking forward to seeing how much I can do.
“My natural athleticism is something I have to take advantage of. I have to hone it, I have to perfect it, it’s still very raw and I don’t think it’s fully developed yet, so he’s going to help me explore that.”
Nakamura has been training with Raducanu and her coach Nick Cavaldi at the National Tennis Center in London all week.
After Christmas in New Zealand, Raducanu will start the new season in Auckland at the end of December and hopes to play in Adelaide before the start of the Australian Open on January 12.
