Emma Raducanu issues ‘dangerous’ warning after her ‘pretty unheard of’ feat in 2024
Emma Raducanu has described her achievement of finishing the 2024 season in the top 60 after playing less than 15 events as “pretty unheard of.”
The 2021 US Open winner asserted she knows she is “a dangerous player” and that no players want to draw her in tournaments.
Raducanu ended the 2024 campaign ranked 57th in the world after compiling an 18-13 record across the 13 ranking events she played.
The 22-year-old also won all three matches she played in the Billie Jean King Cup this year, giving her a healthy 21-13 overall record.
The Brit’s standout 2024 result was her run to the fourth round at Wimbledon, while she reached the semi-finals in Nottingham and the quarter-finals in Stuttgart, Eastbourne, Washington and Seoul.
Raducanu started the year as the world No 301 after ending her 2023 campaign in April to undergo surgeries on both wrists and her ankle.
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In an interview with BBC Sport, Raducanu expressed satisfaction at what she accomplished in her comeback season.
“Sometimes I need reminding: I’m top 60 and I’ve played less than 15 events, which is pretty unheard of. I have to pat myself on the back for that,” she said.
“I know I’m a dangerous player. I know no one wants to pull my name in the draw.
“I take pride in that and I’m looking forward to hopefully staying on court longer next year.”
The former world No 10 pulled out of five WTA Tour events during the Asian swing — Beijing, Wuhan, Ningbo, Guangzhou and Hong Kong — due to injuries.
Raducanu has sought to address her fitness issues by hiring Yutaka Nakamura, an esteemed physical trainer who previously worked with tennis greats Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka.
“I needed a more tailored approach and someone dedicated to me,” Raducanu said of her decision to bring in Nakamura.
“My athleticism is a big strength that I have nowhere near fulfilled. I think I can become one of the best athletes in tennis.
“Yutuka adds another dimension to the way Nick and I work – it has become integrated and connected.
“We can already see things that we do in the gym transferring onto the tennis court. We’re on a journey of exploration.”
