Laura Robson believes Emma Raducanu has hired a ‘world class’ fitness coach in Yutaka Nakamura as the 22-year-old looks to challenge for Grand Slams in the future.
The Briton has impressed at the Billie Jean King Cup ever since returning from injury, winning both of her matches so far.
She was too strong for Jule Niemeier on Friday, beating the German 6-4, 6-4.
And she then followed that up with a 6-0, 7-5 victory over Rebecca Marino on Sunday.
Emma Raducanu has dazzled at the Billie Jean King Cup so far
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Raducanu recently opted to hire Nakamura as she looks to maintain her fitness, with the 52-year-old previously working with Maria Sharapova.
And Robson, speaking to Sky Sports, believes the coach is ‘world class’ – which is something that bodes well for Raducanu and her prospects of future glory.
“I know him pretty well from when he was working with Sharapova and when I used to train in Florida,” she said.
“He was primarily based at the IMG Academy there, so he’s worked with people like golfer Nelly Korda, and just has a really long history of being world class.
“He’s such a nice guy to get along with as well, which is important for when you’re on the road so many weeks of the year.”
Ever since her remarkable US Open win back in 2021, Raducanu has struggled.
She is yet to win a singles title since, though has climbed up the world rankings in 2024.
Robson is, however, optimistic that the arrival of Nakamura will spark better days ahead of Raducanu.
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She continued: “Hopefully it works out because I think that would be a really good addition to the team. It sounds like a positive.
“We talk about these long seasons and being out there and competing. She’s still trying to build that resilience.
“She’s had some of those injuries, and I think she only played 31 matches on the WTA Tour this season.
“She’s still finished in the top 60, so if she can compete, play more tournaments, you just feel that there’s going to be more opportunities for her to move in the right direction.
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Laura Robson believes Emma Raducanu has hired a ‘world class’ fitness coach in Yutaka Nakamura as the 22-year-old looks to challenge for Grand Slams in the future
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“So I think in terms of investment, if she could bring on someone like that, I think it would be really good news.”
Raducanu, meanwhile, was pleased with her win over Merino.
And she made it clear how much she enjoys representing Great Britain, too.
“It was an incredibly difficult match because the dynamics were so different in each of the sets,” she said. “In the second set, Rebecca really upped her level and served great.
Emma Raducanu will be hoping to help Great Britain win the Billie Jean King Cup
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“I’m very pleased with how I managed to fend off my own break points, sneak that break and close it out.
“When you’re playing a big-serving opponent like Rebecca, you know there is so much emphasis on each serve.
“My Billie Jean King Cup performances have brought very good things out of me and I think it is the same for everyone.
“We all just fight extra hard, dig in a little bit. It is an honour to be representing my country.”