Emma Raducanu’s quest to toughen up is on track – Tim Henman

WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu

Tim Henman believes that Emma Raducanu is on the right track following her decision to link up with a fitness coach.

Raducanu found her first full year on the WTA Tour a real physical challenge.

Beset by injuries and a recurring problem with blisters, she has set out to toughen up while avoiding injury.

Raducanu’s training and preparation have been the subject of much debate.

From videos showing questionable training tecnhniques for a young athlete to a carousel of coaches.

Through it all there has been no questioning Raducanu’s commitment and her coaches have all lauded her professionalism.

Henman feels that the move to bring former trainer to Andy Murray, Jez Green on board will yield results for Raducanu.

“For Emma, working with Jez Green, doing the track work, the gym work, using his experience and knowledge allied with her work ethic, she’ll definitely be fitter, stronger, faster,” Henman told The Times.

“Having seen her train over the last four to six weeks, she’s really putting in those hard yards to build that resilience.”

Britain’s BJK Cup captain Anne Keothavong has been impressed by the early results after seeing Raducanu in action in team competition last month.

“That’s a priority at the moment and she’s looking pretty fit and strong,” Keothavong said.

“I think the work that she’s put in over the last few weeks, when you see her you’ll see [it].”

A wrist injury is the latest impediment to the career of the young star but Raducanu is hopeful of playing a full Australian Open swing.

She has been working around the injury, even being filmed hitting balls left-handed, and doing a good job of it.

Raducanu is back to regular training this week but will take part in the United Cup for Great Britain.

Having not declared for the event she will instead play the Adelaide International 1 as her first event of the 2023 season.

Great Britain’s efforts at the United Cup will be fronting by leading men Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans as well as Harriet Dart, Katie Swan and doubles specialist Jonny O’Mara.

The Brits will take on Spain and hosts Australia at the new mixed team event that will be staged across three Australian cities.

Britain play in Pool D which will be staged in Sydney while Perth and Brisbane are the other two host cities.

Both the WTA 500 Adelaide International 1 and the WTA 250 ASB Classic in Auckland clash with the second week of the United Cup.

READ MORE: Emma Raducanu focusing on ‘bigger picture’ as she admits ‘I’ve never done any normal teenage things’

Emma Raducanu

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