Emma Raducanu names the sacrifice she’ll make to gain a head start in 2025

Emma Raducanu is not taking a ‘break’ ahead of the 2025 season (Picture: Getty)

Emma Raducanu says she’ll sacrifice a ‘holiday’ to gain a head start for the 2025 season and will instead head straight to the practice courts.

Raducanu has been in fine form since her return from a foot injury, winning three matches in a row for Great Britain at the Billie Jean King Cup.

But she is sick of being stuck on the sidelines after a number of niggles this year and is back raring to go just as the season is winding down.

With her motivation through the roof, and hoping to build on a strong 2024 in which she recorded her first career wins over top-10 opponents, equalled her best Wimbledon run and reached a number of WTA quarter-finals, Raducanu has already got one eye on going up a gear in 2025.

‘I think traditionally you’d probably have a bit of a break and take a holiday or something,’ Raducanu said. ‘But I feel like I have had four, five weeks off tennis, and I don’t really need any more time off.

‘If anything, I’m excited and just itching to get on the practice court, and of course seeing some of my performances this week, it just incentivises me to do more work.’

Raducanu, ranked as high as world No.10 two years ago, has worked her way back up to world No.58 this year after a long period of inactivity.

She plans on starting her 2025 season at the ASB Classic (Picture: Reuters)

The Brit had triple surgery last year to address long-term injury problems and has won 20 of her 33 matches across 2024.

‘My assessment is, I think sometimes I need reminding, I’m top 60 in the world and I have played less than 15 events, which is pretty unheard of, in a way,’ Raducanu added.

‘I have to pat myself on the back for that. I know I’m a dangerous player. I know no one wants to pull my name in the draw.

‘I take pride in that, and I’m looking forward to hopefully staying on court longer next year.’

Meanwhile, Raducanu has been forced to shake off rumours that her endorsement deal with Porsche is under threat this year.

Raducanu signed a number of lucrative sponsorship deals after her incredible triumph at the US Open in 2021, in which she walked away with the title as a qualifier in what was a remarkable achievement.