Emma Raducanu thinks she has 'really good' idea which could change tennis after Iga Swiatek complaints

Emma Raducanu thinks she has ‘really good’ idea which could change tennis after Iga Swiatek complaints

Posted by Admin December 16, 2024 Tennis

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Emma Raducanu has just enjoyed a superb season, and should now be aiming to move to another level in 2025.

Tim Henman thinks Raducanu can compete for titles next season, but only if the 22-year-old Briton can stay fit.

And British number two Raducanu has hired fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura ahead of the Australian Open in a bid to do exactly that.

He has previously worked with Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka who, like Raducanu, have enjoyed Grand Slam success.

The Briton won the 2021 US Open, but played just 34 singles matches throughout the 2024 WTA Tour season, with 21 wins and 13 losses.

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Emma Raducanu wants tennis change after Iga Swiatek criticism

Injuries were largely to blame for the lack of playing time, with those issues seemingly not helped by a very busy schedule.

Iga Swiatek criticised the WTA calendar earlier this year, with Raducanu weighing in on the debate at London’s National Tennis Centre earlier this month.

READ MORE: What Yutaka Nakamura has said about Emma Raducanu ahead of coaching her in 2025

She told reporters: “One thing with the WTA is we’re pretty much made to play the events when we’re in a certain ranking… Where my ranking was and is at, I didn’t have to play every single event.”

Adding that “having to play every single tournament” is a major physical burden, she suggested a schedule change: “I think having a mulligan to not play a tournament would be a really good addition.”

What should Emma Raducanu focus on in 2025?

Raducanu also suffered from several injury issues in 2023, but she has since recovered to soar back up the rankings.

Starting the 2024 season sitting in 301st place in the WTA rankings, the Briton now impressively occupies 57th spot.

READ MORE: Tim Henman predicts where Emma Raducanu will be ranked by the end of 2025

Protected rankings and wildcards have arrived following that special US Open triumph, but the 22-year-old will not want to rely on that success forever.

Raducanu is likely to have a long list of goals for a very important 2025, including eyeing a return to British number one.

Further climbing the WTA rankings should also be on her agenda, but perhaps simply remaining fit is at the very top of the list, while it remains to be seen if organisers listen to the calls from Swiatek.