Emma Raducanu is setting her sights on a busy and injury-free 2025 season, having started the year on a high note with a victory at Melbourne Park. The 22-year-old, who has battled persistent injuries in recent years, marked a successful start with a 7-6(4) 7-6(2) win over 26th-seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the Australian Open’s first round. The win secured Raducanu a spot in the next round, where she will face American Amanda Anisimova.
While the match was not without its challenges, Raducanu’s resilience was evident. Despite committing 15 double faults in the two-hour, 16-minute contest, she showcased strong mental fortitude, particularly during the tiebreaks.
“I’m very proud of how I fought and overcame certain situations in that match,” Raducanu said in her post-match interview. “The serve is a key shot in the game. It’s crucial to not let any mistakes affect the rest of your performance. I’ve had teething problems with it in the past, but I’m able to bounce back for the next match.”
Since her historic US Open victory as a qualifier in 2021, Raducanu has faced a series of physical setbacks, including a recent foot injury in Seoul last September. To address her fitness, she made a key decision to add renowned strength and conditioning expert Yutaka Nakamura to her team. Nakamura, who has previously worked with tennis stars Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka, began collaborating with Raducanu in late 2024, and the pair’s working relationship is already yielding positive results.
“I can already feel a difference when I step on the court,” Raducanu said. “I feel more reactive and explosive, and I think that comes from the strength training we’ve been doing off the court.”
Raducanu’s physical fitness has been a point of concern in recent seasons, with injuries frequently derailing her progress. However, her commitment to strengthening her body and improving her athleticism has sparked optimism for 2025. She explained, “I think I can become one of the best athletes in tennis, and I’m excited to see how far I can push myself.”
Despite a recent setback with back spasms that caused her to withdraw from the Auckland WTA tournament earlier this month, Raducanu expressed satisfaction with her physical condition during her victory over Alexandrova. “Playing two sets today felt good. I felt fit and strong out there, and that’s a testament to the work I’ve been doing off the court.”
As Raducanu continues to build her fitness and strength, she remains focused on the road ahead. “Building a resilient body is a continuous process,” she said. “It’s not something you can put a timeline on, but I already feel a difference on the court.”
Raducanu will need to be at her best on Thursday when she takes on Anisimova in the second round. Anisimova, a former Grand Slam semifinalist, has reached the Australian Open’s last 16 three times, making her a formidable opponent.
With the 2025 season underway, Raducanu’s focus on physical fitness may be the key to unlocking her full potential and achieving the consistency that has eluded her in the past.
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