I'M OUT TO FULFIL MY POTENTIAL

Raducanu is eager to see how far she can go

- Neil McLeman

EMMA RADUCANU flies Down Under on Friday to start her Australian Open build-up, vowing to say say "no" to off-the-court activities and play more often.

And Raducanu believes she is now finally fit and ready to "fulfil my potential".

The 2021 US Open champion has suffered three challenging years since her shock New York title triumph as a teenager.

She has been dogged by fitness issues and faced criticism for spending too much off-court time on her lucrative endorsement deals.

But to prepare for her new campaign, which starts at the Auckland Open on December 30, Raducanu has appointed Yutaka Nakamura as her first full-time physical trainer on tour.

And the British No.2 is keen to limit non-tennis distractions and focus on her career and "I'm obviously very grateful and fortunate to have had certain experiences opportunities," Raducanu said.

"But I wasn't prepared for the other things that inevitably do take some energy out of you.

"I think I've learnt how to say 'no' a bit more.