Raducanu Reportedly In Talks With Sharapova's Former Fitness Trainer After Injury

Emma Raducanu could make a statement about her intentions to improve physically by hiring Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka's former fitness trainer.

Injury issues are one of the principal reasons Raducanu has endured struggles since shocking the tennis world by winning the 2021 US Open title as an 18-year-old qualifier.

The most severe of those was a nine-month lay-off last year because of wrist and ankle injuries. Raducanu recently admitted she made the mistake of trying to return too quickly from those injuries, which increased her time on the sidelines.

She returned at the start of this year. High points since then include a run to the Nottingham Open semifinals and winning two matches against France in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals to help Team Great Britain qualify for this month's Finals.

Raducanu also struggled for consistency throughout the season and was criticized by many for competing at the US Open after not playing a match in over three weeks.

The 21-year-old lost to Sofia Kenin in the opening round at Flushing Meadows, and the 2003 US Open men's singles champion Andy Roddick was among those who said she did herself no favors by making puzzling scheduling decisions.

Raducanu hoped to play a much busier Asian swing, but an injury during her Korea Open quarterfinal against Daria Kasatkina ended those hopes. She retired after 31 minutes of that match.

After revealing she had sprained ligaments in her foot, Raducanu withdrew from the rest of the Asian swing but still hoped to be fit for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals starting next week.

The Briton's team recently gave a positive update about her chances of being fit for the team event in Malaga, saying Raducanu was training well ahead of the tournament starting.

Although Raducanu is recovering well from her latest injury, her frequent physical problems suggest that hiring a proven fitness trainer could be one of the most astute moves she could make.

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According to the Telegraph, Raducanu is in talks with Sharapova's former fitness trainer, Yutaka Nakamura, who is one of the most respected men or women to have worked in that role.

Nakamura also had a period working with Naomi Osaka as well as many other top players. He has an excellent track record and would almost certainly be a superb addition to Raducanu's team.

The appointment has not been confirmed, but Raducanu and those around her are hopeful of securing a long-term deal with Nakamura that will make it a worthwhile investment in the Briton's future.

The Telegraph report also states that Raducanu's lack of matches before the US Open was caused by an abdominal strain suffered in early August, which the player did not reveal publicly.

That abdominal strain is believed to have occurred because a locum fitness trainer set up her training machine at an unexpectedly high weight, which might have influenced her decision to try and hire one of the most respected fitness trainers in the sport.

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