Tim Henman believes Emma Raducanu's conditioning is key to her improvement next season
WTATuesday, 26 November 2024 at 07:30
Great Britain's Emma Raducanu saw her 2024 season derailed by several injuries, but former British No.1 Tim Henman is of the opinion that the WTA star could make vast improvements next season if she were to work on her physical resilience.
Raducanu led Great Britain at the Billie Jean King Cup finals in Spain this month, winning all three of her singles matches. However, this came after the former US Open champion was sidelined for a few months during the Asian swing, after withdrawing from the Korea Open in September due to a foot injury.
Improving her conditioning could push her back to the top, says Henman
The World No.58 underwent ankle and wrist surgeries last year, forcing her to miss most of the season. Henman believes Raducanu could rise back up the rankings were she to improve her conditioning, citing compatriot Katie Boulter as a prime example.
"I think the challenge for Raducanu is around physical resilience," he told the Sky Sports Tennis podcast. “You talk about Katie Boulter and all the improvements that she made.
"Yes, she has got better as a tennis player, her movement has improved, but it's also the resilience to be able to play that full schedule. You saw Katie at the end of the year playing four or five tournaments in a row. She made a final in Hong Kong, at the last event of the year and finished in the top 25.
"Raducanu has had a decent year, going from sort of 300 into the top 60 but, when you look at the amount of tennis she's played, she hasn't played a great deal. If she builds up that resilience, every time she steps on the court, she was playing good tennis. Therefore, top 50, top 30 in 2025, I think is completely realistic."
"Yes, she has got better as a tennis player, her movement has improved, but it's also the resilience to be able to play that full schedule. You saw Katie at the end of the year playing four or five tournaments in a row. She made a final in Hong Kong, at the last event of the year and finished in the top 25.
"Raducanu has had a decent year, going from sort of 300 into the top 60 but, when you look at the amount of tennis she's played, she hasn't played a great deal. If she builds up that resilience, every time she steps on the court, she was playing good tennis. Therefore, top 50, top 30 in 2025, I think is completely realistic."
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