Tim Henman Calls for Emma Raducanu to Enhance Physical Strength to Compete with Top Players
Former British tennis star Tim Henman has publicly advised Emma Raducanu that she must significantly improve her physical fitness if she hopes to challenge the world's best players, including current world number one Aryna Sabalenka. Henman's comments come amid ongoing concerns about Raducanu's fitness levels and her ability to sustain performance against powerful opponents on the professional tour.
Raducanu's Recent Struggles with Fitness and Form
Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has faced a series of fitness-related setbacks during the current season. In February, she reached the final of the Transylvania Open but managed to win only two games against Sorana Cirstea, a match where she required medical attention for her blood pressure. This was followed by a withdrawal from her opening match in Qatar and a three-set defeat to Antonia Ruzic in Dubai, where she appeared to fade physically.
Her difficulties continued at Indian Wells, where she suffered a heavy loss to Amanda Anisimova, again securing just two games. These performances have raised questions about whether Raducanu can recapture the sensational form that propelled her to Grand Slam glory as a qualifier five years ago. At 23 years old, she has also drawn criticism for her frequent coaching changes, having worked with at least nine different coaches since 2021.
Henman's Specific Advice on Physical Development
Speaking to Sky Sports, Tim Henman emphasized that Raducanu's primary focus should be on building greater physical strength and resilience. He pointed to her match against Amanda Anisimova as a clear example of where she was overpowered by a more physically imposing opponent.
Henman stated: "She's never going to be as big a ball striker as Anisimova, and the physicality that she brings to the court is obviously intimidating, as these top players are. But that's where I think Raducanu needs to be physically stronger. She needs more physical resilience so she doesn't get the little injuries that put her away from the court. They stop her building the momentum on the match court."
He suggested that Raducanu could enhance her fitness through targeted on-court training, such as two-on-one drills that focus on movement and endurance. "You can still do a lot of physical work on the court, whether it's two on one when you're hitting and moving and building up that physical resilience to get stronger, to get faster, to hit the ball harder, to serve bigger. If I could pinpoint one area, it would most definitely be fitness," Henman added.
Potential for a Top-20 Return and Coaching Stability Concerns
Despite the current challenges, Henman remains optimistic about Raducanu's long-term prospects. He believes that if she can address her physical limitations, she has the potential to break into the top 20 and even challenge for a place in the top 10. "I think we all appreciate and understand and see how good she could be. If she can continue to add these pieces to the puzzle there's no reason why she can't get in the top 20 and then knock on the door of the top 10," he said.
Henman also noted that the spotlight on Raducanu remains intense, even years after her US Open victory. "It does feel however far we get away from the US Open win, that spotlight will never dim. She's a really good athlete, but when she stretched out, she cannot withstand the power that's coming at her and give it back and that's where the gym work comes in," he explained.
Echoing Henman's concerns, former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli has urged Raducanu to seek greater stability in her coaching arrangements. Bartoli highlighted Aryna Sabalenka's success as a model, noting that Sabalenka has thrived with a consistent support team, winning multiple Grand Slam titles and reaching world number one.
Bartoli commented: "For Emma to keep changing coaches is a difficult topic because you need to have some sort of stability. When you look at the coaching system, Sabalenka has had the same coach for such a long period of time and I think for Emma it's about trying to find the right fit! I do strongly believe she will need to find someone she can trust for a long period of time if she wants to improve."
Raducanu's most recent coaching change occurred in January 2026, when she parted ways with Francisco Roig after just six months. She has since been working informally with former coach Mark Petchey ahead of the Indian Wells tournament. As the tennis world watches closely, the pressure is on for Raducanu to combine enhanced physical conditioning with a more stable coaching setup to mount a serious challenge against elite competitors like Aryna Sabalenka.
