Since her ‘fairytale of New York’, Emma Raducanu has needed to show a great deal of patience.

Coping with the intense scrutiny that followed her stunning 2021 US Open triumph was tough, as was the physicality of going full-time on the WTA Tour.

There were signs of progress last year as she made her comeback from wrist and ankle surgeries in 2023.

Signing up a full-time fitness trainer has signalled Raducanu’s intention to become the athlete she “knows she can be” – but there was familiar blow when she pulled out of the season-opening WTA event in Auckland with a back injury.

The 22-year-old has been practising in Melbourne but will go into the major having not played competitively since November’s Billie Jean King Cup.

Raducanu has drawn criticism for the way she has approached her career, either for not being robust enough, chopping and changing coaches or her lucrative sponsorship deals.

It does feel, however, that 2025 is the year where Raducanu needs to kick on. A strong run in Melbourne would be a fantastic platform to build from.