'I Don't Need Time Off': Raducanu Determined To Start Pre-Season Early

Friday, 22 November 2024 at 13:40

byJordan Reynolds

Emma Raducanu finished her 2024 season at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, and the former US Open champion has already made a decision that she hopes will help her hit the ground running in 2025.

Raducanu's return to the sport in 2024 has been mixed. She missed the final nine months of 2023 with severe wrist and ankle injuries, both of which required surgery. The Briton admitted she made those injuries worse by trying to return too soon.

Although the 22-year-old did not set the world alight for long stretches of the year, there were moments of encouragement for Raducanu after such a lengthy period on the sidelines. Examples included reaching the Nottingham Open semifinal and the Citi Open quarterfinal.

Raducanu also played well to reach the Wimbledon fourth round, including a straight-sets triumph against Maria Sakkari. An inspired Lulu Sun prevented her from progressing to the quarterfinal.

However, Raducanu's best tennis in 2024 came when she represented Great Britain at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. In April's qualifiers, she managed two victories against France away from home on clay to lead her country to a stunning upset.

It was unclear what level Raducanu would be at for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals because she had not played for nearly two months after spraining ligaments in her foot against Daria Kasatkina at September's Korea Open.

But Raducanu put any fears about rustiness aside by defeating Jule Niemeier in Great Britain's opening-round tie against Germany. Katie Boulter's victory in the other singles match secured the team's place in the quarterfinals.

Great Britain faced the defending champions, Canada, in the quarterfinal, but that did not stop Raducanu and Boulter from dominating again. Raducanu overcame Rebecca Marino, while Boulter performed sensationally against Leylah Fernandez.

The British team was on the verge of making the final when Radcanu put them 1-0 up against Slovakia, and Boulter took the first set against Katie Boulter. However, the Slovakians managed a stunning comeback to win 2-1 and eliminate Team Great Britain.

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Despite missing out on the final, Raducanu can be proud of her three singles victories at the event. The 2021 US Open champion's efforts in 2024 after being injured led to her nomination for the WTA comeback player of the year.

Raducanu is not satisfied with her efforts in 2024, though. After missing almost two months until the Billie Jean King Cup Finals last week with the injury sustained at the Korea Open, the 22-year-old told the WTA that she plans to skip going on holiday and start practicing immediately.

"I think traditionally you’d probably have a bit of a break and take a holiday or something. But I feel like I have had four, five weeks off tennis, and I don’t really need any more time off."

"If anything, I’m excited and just itching to get on the practice court, and of course seeing some of my performances this week, it just incentivises me to do more work."

Raducanu also hopes to add Naomi Osaka and Maria Sharapova's former fitness coach, Yutaka Nakamura, to her team for the 2025 season. Talks with him are ongoing.