Naomi Osaka makes her feelings known on Emma Raducanu's new fitness coach

Emma Raducanu has recently hired Yutaka Nakamura, a renowned strength and conditioning coach with experience working with Naomi Osaka and Maria Sharapova. Osaka shared positive feedback about Nakamura as he prepares to guide Raducanu through the 2025 season, starting with the Australian Open.

During the pre-tournament press conference at the 2025 Australian Open on Friday, January 10, Osaka offered lighthearted remarks when asked about Nakamura.

"What I remember about Yutaka, he's great at his job. He's super funny. He loves to take selfies. He loves sushi. She's going to be at every sushi restaurant in town (smiling). Yeah, he's just an overall really kind person. That's something that I remember about him a lot. He's just very kind, very empathetic. He's just lovely," Naomi Osaka said.

Nakamura joined Osaka's team in mid-2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and played a key role in her victories at the 2020 US Open and 2021 Australian Open. Before working with Osaka, the Japanese trainer spent seven years as Maria Sharapova’s personal trainer from 2011, helping her win two French Open titles in 2012 and 2014.

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Emma Raducanu expressed excitement to work with Naomi Osaka's ex-fitness coach

Emma Raducanu practicing ahead of the 2025 Australian Open - Source: Getty

Emma Raducanu partnered with Yutaka Nakamura ahead of the 2025 season, confident he will help her unlock her full athletic potential. Raducanu, who has faced injury struggles since her 2021 US Open win, has been training with Nakamura and coach Nick Cavaday at the LTA National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, London.

Nakamura, who previously worked with Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka, will play a key role in Raducanu's preparation as she aims to elevate her fitness and athleticism throughout the season.

"He’s going to be with me a lot next year," Raducanu said (via The Guardian). "I am really looking forward to it. I think it’s nice because as a person, I think we’re quite similar in the sense that we’re very focused with our work. When we work, we’re not like talking or chit-chatting about other things. It’s very much like this is our time to focus."

Osaka and Raducanu are currently preparing to play at the 2025 Australian Open. The draw of the event was released on Thursday, January 9, and the pair are set for challenging first-round clashes.

Osaka will face Caroline Garcia in the first round, a rematch from their first-round clash at the Melbourne Slam last year. Meanwhile, Raducanu will take on 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.