Emma Raducanu seems to mean business ahead of 2025, with the tennis star set to jet out early ahead of the Australian Open.
The 22-year-old's year was blighted by injuries, even if she was able to rise up the world rankings.
Raducanu's schedule and preparation was widely scrutinised back in August when she crashed out of the US Open, the tournament she won back in 2021, in the first round.
She vowed to learn from that experience and the tennis star has now revealed that she's going to go out to Australia 'earlier' to boost her chances of winning the second major of her career.
Emma Raducanu seems to mean business ahead of 2025, with the tennis star set to jet out early ahead of the Australian Open
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Per Tennis365, she said: “I had a bit of a different pre-season this year because I was injured earlier, and I did a lot of training.
"So I just want to get out in the heat a bit earlier.
“It makes sense to go all the way rather than go somewhere and then come back and then fly out again.
"I feel really strong. I feel really fit. The only thing I can’t really speak for, is I haven’t played that many matches. So it’s different.
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“On the training court I feel amazing.
"I feel like I’m running around, throwing myself around on the court, but it’s different playing matches.
"I played a few at Billie Jean King Cup, and I felt good. I felt like I recovered well. I wasn’t tiring in the matches.
"It would just be good to see as the level increases, and if I have to play more back-to-back, how I’m going to react.”
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Raducanu is set to play in a warm-up tournament in Auckland as she ramps up her preparations.
She will then take on the challenge of winning the Australian Open, with that competition due to start on January 12.
Raducanu did compete in the Australian Open earlier this year, beating Shelby Rogers in the first round.
However, she lost a three-set thriller to Yafan Wang as her dreams of going all the way went up in smoke.
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Emma Raducanu made the second round of the Australian Open earlier in the year
GETTYMeanwhile, former Wimbledon winner Pat Cash feels Raducanu should be feeling positive ahead of next year.
He said: “It’s been interesting to watch her play. She has certainly got the talent to compete at the top level.
“I was at Queen’s Club the other day and some highlights popped up on the TV of her winning the US Open and it was just phenomenal to remind yourself how good she is.
“She has had some issues with her forehand from time to time and maybe the stress of it all contributed to those injuries.
Emma Raducanu is feeling positive as the start of the Australian Open looms
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“She’s had half a decent year when he was able to play matches, but we have an opportunity here a player like Emma to come through.
“On both the men’s and women’s side of the draws, we have one or two players right at the top who have separated themselves, but there is a gap below that and players can come through to the latter stages of tournaments.
“We saw [Emma] Navarro come through this year and Emma is definitely a better player than her. Navarro is tough, tricky and competitive, but Raducanu has more to her game.
“You just have to hope Raducanu stays fit and can get matches under her belt because she certainly has the talent to do very well.”
