Emma Raducanu Unveils Strategic Shift for 2026 Season, Aims for Dominance on Court

British tennis sensation Emma Raducanu is embarking on a transformative pre-season regimen, aiming to cultivate a more robust foundational game for the 2026 season. Her objective is to increasingly dictate match play and diminish concerns about her opponents’ strengths.

Raducanu has commenced a month-long pre-season training block in Barcelona with her coach, Francisco Roig. This follows recent intensive gym work in London, focused on recovery from light bone bruising in her right foot, an issue that led to her withdrawal from two exhibition events in the United States.

After completing 50 matches for the first time in her career this season, the 23-year-old athlete is keenly anticipating the enhancements Roig will bring to her game. “He wants me to focus a lot more on building a better Emma Raducanu and a better base level,” Raducanu explained, highlighting a shift in her approach. “It’s something that I don’t think I’ve necessarily done before. I’ve always been more tactical, more just having to exploit their weaknesses if they have any, and trying to be very crafty.”

She further clarified that while her previous tactical approach has proven effective, the ultimate goal is to reach a point where she can “just go and execute your game and know that you can win,” without excessive focus on the opposition. Roig’s method involves enhancing her quality through refined technique, improved timing, and more efficient movement, rather than solely altering her physical capacities. “Being able to dictate the game a lot more is a goal of mine, so I don’t necessarily have to run as much,” she added.

Raducanu is set to kick off her 2026 campaign at the United Cup team competition in Perth next January. Millenium TV has learned that she and Roig, who famously collaborated with Rafael Nadal during all 22 of his Grand Slam victories, have formalized their partnership for the entirety of the upcoming year. Additionally, Emma Stewart has joined the team as a physiotherapist and will temporarily oversee Raducanu’s strength and conditioning program.

Raducanu’s association with Stewart dates back to Stewart’s tenure as a physio at the Women’s Tennis Association, with Stewart having also worked with British Rowing. “I did some work with her in Madrid in 2022 and she really helped me with my back at the time,” Raducanu recalled. She noted the prevalence of hip and back issues in rowing, relating it to her own history of back problems. “She knows how to treat it, and certain flare-ups I’ve had, she’s helped me with.”

1The presence of another female on her team is also a welcome change for Raducanu. “Having another female on the team is going to be nice and probably different to what I’ve had previously,” she commented. She praised Stewart’s meticulous approach: “She’s very thorough. When you’re in the gym doing a certain exercise, she knows my body’s weaknesses. She knows where I’m a little bit prone to picking up injuries, and how to strengthen those areas.”

The 2021 US Open champion expressed significant confidence from her ability to compete in 22 tournaments over nine months in 2025. Despite missing her final two scheduled tournaments due to illness and the foot issue, she believes she has demonstrated her capacity to handle such a demanding schedule both physically and mentally.

Raducanu also holds a distinct perspective on the length of the tennis season, diverging from many other players. While acknowledging the “challenge” it presents, she emphasized the financial rewards of the sport and suggested that top players “moaning about the calendar” does not set a positive example.

“It’s not all glamorous,” she conceded. “There are definitely times when it’s difficult and we are flagging mentally, physically, and everything hurts.” However, she urged a pragmatic outlook: “But at the same time what are we going to do about it? I am sure there are certain people who go to work and their bosses make them do something – it’s their job.” She concluded that maintaining a positive demeanor, “If we put up a front that isn’t complaining, I think that is a better example to people watching, who we are trying to get into tennis – younger people. If they see all the top players moaning about the calendar, I don’t think that’s necessarily inspiring to look up to.”