Emma Raducanu Slapped With a Major Warning by Renowned Finance Expert Amidst Serious Backdrop in Form in 2024

Emma Raducanu became an overnight sensation in 2021 when she won the US Open as a qualifier. Soon after this historic feat, endorsement deals started to roll in as she signed lucrative deals with high-profile brands like British Airways, Vodafone, Evian, Porsche, Tiffany & Co, and Dior. Three years have passed since that iconic moment in NY, and guess what? The 2021 US Open title still remains her only top-level title as a professional player. She has been plagued with a lot of injuries and a lack of form over the last few years. Considering her constant struggles, some of the experts have now stepped in to warn her of the possible chances of losing sponsors in the near future.

Raducanu missed most of the 2023 season due to wrist and left ankle surgeries. The Brit started the season ranking 301 in the world and finished the year in the Top 60. Despite showcasing some impressive performances in some of the matches, she failed to clinch a title this season. Emma Raducanu has played just 36 matches in 2024 and won 23 out of them. With her incredible potential, fans perhaps want a bit more from their favorite tennis star. Amid all these injury concerns, recently, the professor of Applied Sports Finance at Sheffield Hallam University, Dr. Rob Wilson brought up a new issue on the table.

According to Forbes, her current net worth is estimated to be around $15.2 million. Despite being hampered by injuries, she was the seventh-highest-paid female athlete in 2024. However, according to Wilson, “Emma Raducanu needs to be winning games to keep her commercial deals up. Pretty much everything in terms of sponsorships in Raducanu’s case is between on-court and off-the-court performance.” He also highlighted how Raducanu smartly signed some lengthy deals when she won the US Open.

However, the sports finance expert believes, “If she doesn’t start winning matches and doesn’t go far in tournaments, it will be really hard for her to renegotiate or renew any commercial contracts and her career could end right at the beginning. It would be a real shame because she is an incredibly talented person and also very attractive on the market.” Not all of her sponsorship deals have gone smoothly every time though.

As a part of her deal with, Porsche, Emma Raducanu was previously handed a $160,000 worth 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet. However, later on, we saw her pride and joy being taken away from her. Reason? A Porsche spokesperson stated that time that this was the case with the company handing out cars on an ad hoc basis. In the next month though, Raducanu posted a picture of a new Porsche in a parking bay. It seemed as if she was handed a brand new one by the luxury car maker. However, experts think more of such uncomfortable moments can come in her career until and unless she takes a real grip on her performances on the Tour.

To get a grip on this, the first and foremost priority for Raducanu at the moment is to find consistency in her game and increase her level of fitness. She has even recently hired, Maria Sharapova’s former fitness trainer, Yukata Nakamura in her team. What do the coach and Emma Racucanu think about this new partnership?

During her stay in Malaga, we heard Emma Raducanu say that he goal for the next year is to stay on the court “longer.” She firmly believes that she can go even higher and further. All she now aims is to become “one of the best athletes” under the guidance of Yukata Nakamura. This renowned trainer has previously worked with the likes of Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka. His main job now is to help her make her body more robust and improve her overall fitness level.

Nakamura will be a constant fixture on the Tour with her in 2025. Speaking on this new partnership, Emma Raducanu said, “I needed a more tailored approach and someone dedicated to me. My athleticism is a big strength that I have nowhere near fulfilled. I think I can become one of the best athletes in tennis. Yutuka adds another dimension to the way Nick and I work. It has become integrated and connected.” She further added, “We can already see things that we do in the gym transferring onto the tennis court. We’re on a journey of exploration.“

Emma Raducanu also reflected a bit on her bonding with the trainer during the interview, but what does Nakamura have to say about his experience of working with the 2021 US Open champion? During an interview with renowned British journalist, Gigi Salmon, Yukata Nakamura said they’re still getting to know each other. However, he told him that the vibe they have is really good and he’s looking forward to exploring Raducanu’s potential which he thinks is quite endless. Emma Raducanu’s season starts in Auckland between December 30 to January 05. Do you think she can get some wins in her bag before trying her luck at the big event?