Emma Raducanu: Self-described ‘Black Cat’ hopes new coaching partnership will help Australian Open success | Tennis news
Emma Raducanu has found hard-working fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura to be the perfect fit for her traveling crew, but admits she’s a “black cat” who still likes her own space.
The former US Open champion has deliberately kept her entourage small, but late last year she added Nakamura to a core unit that also includes coach Nick Cavaday.
Nakamura is well-respected in tennis, having previously worked with Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka, who this week described him as a “really nice person” who likes selfies and sushi.
He and Raducana have already spent many hours together, and the 22-year-old wants to avoid breaks due to injuries that have affected her career so far and realize her sporting potential.
“It’s important that everyone gets along well,” said Raducanu, who begins her Australian Open campaign on Tuesday against 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.
“You spend so much time with the people you work with that of course it’s important to have a good relationship and get along.
“I think Yutaka and I are very similar in that we are very dedicated and, even with our long days, we always stay motivated, we motivate each other and we feed off energy, which is great because not many people are so dedicated that from 8 in the morning until 8pm at night, time and time again, you still show up with the same attitude and mentality.
“It’s been really good for me all the time, and someone who’s been really reliable.”
Relationships on and off the field with team members are often key to a player’s success, and Raducanu takes care to find the right balance.
“I’m someone who also likes my own space,” she said. “I’m a bit of a black cat, that’s how some people would describe me.
“During the day when you’re on the field or training, you’re literally with them all the time. But I think it’s important that I go for a walk alone in the morning, go for a coffee alone or go for a walk in the evening, it seems to me that I walk a lot.”
Robson: Nakamura is a good choice
Former British No.1 Laura Robson believes Raducanu made a smart choice, saying: “Yutaka is a great guy, I like him a lot.
“Obviously I know him from when he was with Maria, but even after that he was based at IMG where I trained in Florida and I saw him working with all the other players.
“He just has a huge amount of experience. He’s a really easy person to have on the road as well, which is an underrated trait. From what I’ve seen, they’ve been a great match. I think he’s going to be a great addition.
“It’s something she’s wanted to do for years, but you’re looking for the right person, you’re looking for someone who meshes really well with the team, and that seems to be the case here. I think they’re going to continue for a pretty long time.”
Raducanu: It’s hard for me to give everything to friendship
Raducanu looked a lonely figure as she tried to settle into tour life after her US Open triumph, but three years on, she seems happier and more relaxed.
Raducanu clearly enjoyed being part of Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup team last year and has made friends with other players, but admits some obstacles remain.
“I have a few friends on tour who are really nice and great to spend time with on a day off or an afternoon off, or having lunch together,” she said.
“But it’s also really hard to become very close to them when you’re competing with them. I’m someone who gives everything to my friends, so it’s hard for me to give everything to a friendship and then have to play them on the court.
“I think there’s always going to be a bit of a barrier in some sense, but I have a pretty good relationship with most of the girls.”
What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?
- ABN AMRO Open Rotterdam (ATP 500) – 3.-9. February
- Dallas Open (ATP 500) – 3.-9. February
- Delray Beach Open (ATP 250) – 10.-16. February
- IEB+ Argentina Open (ATP 250) – 10.-16. February
- Open 13 Provence (ATP 250) – 10.-16. February
- Transylvania Open (WTA 250) – 3.-9. February
- Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open (WTA 500) – 3.-8. February
- Qatar TotalEnergies Open (WTA 1000) – 9.-15. February
- Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (WTA 1000) – 16.-22. February
Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as the US Open in New York, live on Sky Sports in 2025 or stream with NOW and The Sky Sports appgiving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.
