“Is there a way to build up the body better?”: Andy Roddick expresses concern over Emma Raducanu’s training amid health issues

The 2021 US Open champion began her season at the ASB Classic last week but withdrew at the last minute, citing the need for more rest before starting the year. Raducanu travelled to Melbourne, where she has been training and will debut on Tuesday at the Australian Open against 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.

Concerns about Raducanu’s physical condition have resurfaced. At the end of 2024, she withdrew from the Korea Open and missed the Asian swing due to injury. Since the US Open, her only appearance was at the Billie Jean King Cup, where she secured three consecutive victories.

“More freeway driving, less stopping”

Despite limited play since September, Raducanu aims to participate in more tournaments this season and maintain peak fitness. She recently hired fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura, who previously worked with Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka, to help prevent injuries.

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2003 US Open champion Andy Roddick expressed concerns about Raducanu’s training approach and stressed the importance of focusing on her health in an interview with Betway. “Maybe this is a terrible analogy, but I want Emma Raducanu to drive on the freeway at some time without stopping. I feel like it’s all city driving since her unbelievable run at the US Open.”

“I’m not there when she’s training, but is there a way to build up the body better? Is it more time spent training? Is it a scheduling thing? I think it probably could be a little bit of all of those,” the American said. “What I know for sure is that we would all be better off if we saw a healthy version of Emma more often.”

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“She’s a star of the game, she’s wildly intelligent, so I can safely speak for all of the tennis world in saying that all we want is more of her, more often,” the former world No. 1 added. “We want to see her healthy, happy, and on the court. A lot more freeway driving, less starting and stopping.”

Raducanu had an impressive 2024, climbing from outside the top 300 to world No. 58 by season’s end. With direct entries into major tournaments now within reach, the Brit aims to return to the race for top titles.

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