Emma Raducanu wants to hire Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka’s former fitness coach

Emma Raducanu has confirmed that she is in talks to add a renowned fitness coach to her team as she looks to make a successful comeback from her recent injury.

The former US Open champion is expected to play the opening match for Great Britain on Friday in their Billie Jean King Cup Finals match against Germany in Malaga.

It will be his first competitive tour in almost two months, as he sprained his ankle during the Korea Open.

Raducanu has moved up more than 200 places this season after being sidelined last season following a single hand and ankle operation, but has played fewer competitions than anyone in the top 60 with just three from Wimbledon.

‘My athleticism is nowhere near its potential’

He revealed a deal to hire fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura, who previously worked with Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka, has yet to be signed, although negotiations are ongoing, and said ” ready to commit” to improving the body.

“I think my goal next year is to stay on the court a little longer,” said Raducanu, who previously cited a desire to keep his squad young as a reason for not hiring a full-time coach. full of practice and reliance on the staff of the Lawn Tennis Association.

“This year I reached the top 60 in the world, but I played thinking about events below 15. I know that if I’m on the court and I’m healthy and competing, I can go even higher.

“I think my athleticism is my strength, but it’s nowhere near my full potential. I’m just looking forward to exploring that further, and I’m ready to commit to doing that.

“Even though it’s been a while for most players, I feel like I’m starting to start and put things in place, I’m training well, I’m training hard, and I’m already building up to next year I don’t really want to have more time off.

“I’m looking forward to competing here this week, but anyway, it’s all about getting better next year.”

It is a huge boost to Britain’s hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals against defending champions Canada on Sunday, and perhaps even more, that Raducanu is there.

He played a starring role in April as Britain upset France on clay to book their place in the final for the first time under the current system.

They reached the semi-finals without Raducanu two years ago but were given a wild card as hosts of the event in Glasgow.

This year it was scheduled to take place in Seville before moving to Malaga, which will also host the Davis Cup next week, at the request of the Spanish authorities.

Heavy rain and flooding pushed the start of the event from Wednesday to Thursday but there was no damage in the area and thankfully the events were not nearly as bad as the devastating floods that hit southern Spain two weeks ago.

Birthday parties

Teams were unable to practice with the closed area, which meant a different 22nd birthday for Raducanu than planned.

“I’m very grateful that my team made a big effort yesterday to make me feel important,” he said. “There were birthday flags, cake, balloons.

“It was really nice, considering the weather. We couldn’t really go out or do anything, but that’s just how it goes. Even though the conditions were circumstances, I still had a good time. It was unforgettable.”

Captain Anne Keothavong has her strongest team available, with Katie Boulter taking the lead role and Harriet Dart, Heather Watson and doubles specialist Olivia Nicholls making up the quintet.

Boulter had struggled to find form since the grass-court season but was rewarded for his long career in Asia with semi-final appearances in Tokyo and the final in Hong Kong, placing him in the 25 first for the first time.

“I feel like I was always working to find my rhythm again,” Boulter said. “I’ve had a lot of confidence in the last few weeks. I think that’s going to push me into next year because I’ve found my position again.”

Germany are led by 84th-ranked Laura Siegemund, who is also a strong doubles player, but Britain will go into contention as favourites.

“I’m glad we have the best team I could have been in,” Keothavong said. “I believe we are a team that can win this tournament.”

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