"Improve physical side and avoid injuries" - Murray on Raducanu's injury woes

Monday, 31 October 2022 at 11:00

Updated at Tuesday, 10 December 2024 at 04:30

byJordan Reynolds

Andy Murray has suggested that compatriot Emma Raducanu might benefit from hiring a strength and conditioning coach to prevent injuries.

Murray's fitness and physical strength used to be unmatched. It played a significant role in the 35-year-old being one of the best players until 2017. No player defeated him during his prime years by being physically stronger.

Murray is a three-time Grand Slam champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist, ATP Finals champion, and ended 2016 at No. 1 in the rankings, making him a tennis legend.

Sadly, a severe hip injury in 2017 altered Murray's career. The Briton initially thought he would have to retire but now has a metal hip to keep playing. However, his level now is nowhere near the past.

Raducanu attracted much media attention in 2022 after stunning the tennis world by winning last year's US Open as an 18-year-old qualifier. Some struggles afterward as she adjusted to daily life on the WTA Tour and increased media scrutiny always seemed likely.

The 19-year-old could not find consistency in 2022 before recently ending her season early and missing the Billie Jean King Cup Finals due to an injury. Raducanu has suffered from back, wrist, and muscle problems this year.

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A few weeks ago, last year's US Open champion parted ways with coach Dimitry Tursunov, who now works with Belinda Bencic. However, Murray thinks Raducanu might need a full-time strength and conditioning coach more.

“I think any coaching relationship, whether it’s strength and conditioning or tennis, is about making sure you’re spending enough time with that person to make a difference. I think sometimes it’s difficult to make an impact if you don’t really put in the time to do it."

"So if they spend enough time together, I’m sure it would be helpful for them. If it’s not Jez, then a full-time strength and conditioning coach would definitely help. Trying to improve the physical side and avoid the issues and injuries and the best way to do that is to get stronger and have someone around you more consistently.”