Australian Open 2025: Emma Raducanu ‘ready to go’ in Melbourne after back spasm
Raducanu hopes to build on her 2024 season, which saw her make encouraging progress following wrist and ankle surgeries.
However, the injury issues that have plagued her since she shocked the world as a junior qualifier by winning the 2021 U.S. Open title continue.
At last year’s U.S. Open, a lack of action led to a first-round exit, which he tearfully admitted after the game was a “lesson learned.”
“I think the difference between this and the U.S. Open is that I didn’t actually train at all before the U.S. Open,” said Raducanu, who hired Yutaka Nakamura as his full-time strength and conditioning coach in December.
“But I kept working hard.”
The former world number 10 added: “The way (Yutaka) structured our practices and our days helped me get into a position where I felt ready.”
To make up for the lack of match practice, Raducanu played a few sets against sixth-seeded Elena Rybakina of Croatia and former world No. 4 Caroline Garcia of France.
“It’s great to be out there with them … to be able to see and gauge your game and where it’s at,” she said.
“I’m playing with really top players this week and it feels good on the court. I don’t feel like I’m out of my depth at all.
“It definitely gave me confidence, but putting it on the playing field is another thing.”
