“I’ve learned how to say no a bit more”: Emma Raducanu reflects on balancing her career and off-court commitments

Emma Raducanu opened up about how she has managed her off-court schedule alongside her career since her astonishing US Open title win. The 22-year-old shot to tennis stardom after her sensational run at Flushing Meadows, where she claimed her first Grand Slam title coming from the qualifying rounds.

At that time, the Brit was just 18 years old, capturing the attention of fans and sponsors alike. She quickly became one of the most marketable sports stars globally and has remained one of the highest-earning female athletes in the world.

From Grand Slam glory to steady growth

However, Raducanu has not yet replicated the success that catapulted her into the top 10. Since then, she has not played in another final, with injuries disrupting her consistency in subsequent seasons. Nonetheless, she has achieved several notable wins against high-ranking players.

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Raducanu’s swift rise to fame forced her to adapt to new demands at a young age, and she admits she may have devoted too much time to off-court commitments: “Especially straight after I did really well, for the next few years it was very much like there was so much communication about things off the court,” she said.

“And I would always, always give my 100 per cent on the court. I was always working really hard, but I just think that I wasn’t prepared as well for the other things that inevitably do take some energy out of you,” the former World No. 10 added. “I think now I’m a lot more structured. I’ll be like: ‘OK, I have this time where one hour we will talk about business. And now I’m going to go train for the rest of the week.’

“Also, I think I’ve learned how to say no a bit more. Initially, I felt really bad for letting people down. I’d always want to do extra for whatever partner or magazine or whatever I’m shooting for.”

Emma Raducanu at 2024 Billie Jean king Cup Finals.

"It’s just not sustainable" - Emma Raducanu

Raducanu recently added Yutaka Nakamura, a fitness coach who has previously worked with Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka, to her team. The Brit is bringing in a high-profile figure to help her overcome recurring injuries. “I want to play more than I did this year,” she said. “I think now, with my set-up, I’m in a place where I can continue work on the road. So I don’t necessarily need to come back to continue good physical work.

“I can do it pretty much every day, like microdoses. And I think that’s actually going to be a great addition for me next year, which I’m excited about," she added. “Also with my tennis, I’m in a pretty good spot. I feel like I just want to see how much I can do, fulfil my potential. I’m curious about what my level can get to. I really want to play more. And I think a big part of that is just staying healthy.”

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Raducanu also addressed her frequent coaching changes after her US Open triumph. Currently, the Brit seems to have found stability in her partnership with Nick Cavaday, with whom she has achieved greater consistency this year, climbing from outside the top 300 to the top 60.

“I’m a very loyal person, whether that’s with my tennis or off the court. Or with what I eat. When I find something I like, I stick to it. I eat the same thing every single day. Same salmon every single day. I like those relationships and I think in the past, unfortunately, it hasn’t always worked like this.”

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The world No. 57 also shared that she doesn’t have overly specific goals for this year and is focusing on continuous improvement. “Initially when I first started, before I won the US Open, my main reason was: ‘I want to win a grand slam’. And that happened so young. I’m so grateful for it. But as soon as that happens, I’m like, ‘OK, well what now? I want to win another grand slam’. It’s just not sustainable.”

“Because, when you don’t win another grand slam straight away, you get frustrated with that. Now, the reason I play is genuine. I really enjoy what I’m doing, how I’m working, the people I’m working with.