Like any athlete returning from a long-term injury, Emma Raducanu needed patience and perspective.
The 22-year-old Briton is rebuilding her career after missing most of 2023 following surgery on both wrists and her left ankle.
As of April, Raducanu was ranked 303rd in the world.
Now, the 2021 US Open champion is back in the top 60 and feeling positive, after an eventful season ended on a high note.
BBC Sport looks at Raducanu’s progress and how the British number two can improve in 2025.
Wimbledon course and rankings rise – highs
When Raducanu was preparing for her comeback a year ago, she spoke of making a “fresh start.”
Climbing almost 250 spots is impressive on every level.
In fact, her rise this year has only been bettered by three WTA players: Japan’s four-time major champion Naomi Osaka (unranked at 59th), Australian Ajla Tomljanovic (549th to 85th) and American Amanda Anisimova (359th to 36th).
Jumping so high after playing in just 14 ranking tournaments is a source of pride for Raducanu.
Only Czech Karolina Muchova, who reached the semifinals of the US Open, is in the top 60 after participating in fewer competitions.
“Sometimes I need to be reminded: I’m in the top 60 and I’ve played less than 15 events, which is quite unheard of,” Raducanu told BBC Sport.
“I have to congratulate myself on that.”
Progress was steady rather than spectacular at the start of his return. Positive signs were followed by setbacks, demonstrating why expectations should be moderated.
The highlight of Raducanu’s year was the British grass season.
Runs to the quarter-finals at Nottingham and the semi-finals at Eastbourne marked the start of a heartwarming Wimbledon, which ended in the round of 16, but further fueled his “fire”.
Raducanu did not compete in the Olympics and had a difficult run at the US Open, before reaching a fourth quarter-final of the season at the Korea Open in September.
A foot injury stopped his momentum, but she finished on a high, winning all three of her matches to help Great Britain reach the semi-finals of the BJK Cup.
“I know I’m a dangerous player,” said Raducanu, who earned £11 million in her comeback year and is seventh on the list of the world’s highest-earning female athletes. according to sports business experts Sportico.
“I know no one wants my name in the draw.
“I’m proud of it and I look forward to being on the field longer next year.”
Tearful admissions and more injuries: the lowest
However, navigation is far from smooth.
Collapsing to a straight-sets defeat in Madrid against Argentine qualifier Maria Lourdes Carle, a week after beating world number one Iga Swiatek on the clay of Stuttgart, was a reality check.
Raducanu later complained of feeling “exhausted.” This led to some criticisms, including from her BJK Cup captain, Anne Keothavong, but recalled the physical work still to be done.
Managing his workload has been essential, but it has sometimes had a detrimental effect.
Raducanu has only played once between the All England Club in early July – where she also withdrew from mixed doubles play with Andy Murray during his farewell to Wimbledon- and the US Open in late August, leading to a rusty first-round exit in New York.
Then came a tearful admission that it was a “lesson learned”.
Despite this, Raducanu appeared on track during the Asian hard-court swing to set a new personal best for Tour-level matches played in a year.
Missing the remainder of the WTA season due to a sprained foot ligament threatened that, but her BJK Cup appearances meant she equaled her previous best of 36 matches at Tour level.
British number three Sonay Kartal believes Raducanu deserves a lot of credit for how she has handled setbacks under intense scrutiny.
“Going from a few weeks away to getting back on the match field is difficult. To do it at the highest level is even harder,” Kartal, a close friend and childhood rival, told BBC Sport.
“People always watching you doesn’t help. Tennis is stressful as it is, so this makes it even more difficult.”
Improve Fitness and Serve Stronger: The Future
After his BJK Cup experience, an enthusiastic Raducanu immediately began his pre-season program in London with a new addition to his team.
Famous coach Yutaka Nakamura, who previously worked with Maria Sharapova and Osaka, was enrolled to help make his body more robust.
“I needed a more tailored approach and someone dedicated to me,” said Raducanu, who is traveling to Brisbane this week to continue preparations ahead of the start of the new season on December 30.
“My athleticism is a great strength that I am far from having fully exploited. I believe I can become one of the best athletes in tennis.”
Coach Nick Cavaday, her childhood mentor whom she found at the beginning of 2024, will continue his role within a united team.
Particular attention is paid to making its service a “weapon”.
Lengthening his recovery, after opting for a shorter swing in the summer, brought more rhythm, consistency and power.
“Yutuka adds another dimension to the way Nick and I work: it’s become integrated and connected,” added Raducanu.
“We can already see the things we do in the gym transferring to the tennis court.
“We are on a journey of exploration.”
