Emma Raducanu in talks with Maria Sharapova’s fitness coach after latest injury suffered in gym

The injury is understood to have been connected to a locum fitness trainer setting up her training machine at an unexpectedly high weight. It was a salutary lesson in the disadvantages of using generic fitness personnel.

Raducanu has not had a consistent presence in this area before. During her history-making 2021 run at Flushing Meadows, she was accompanied by Will Herbert, a physio and fitness trainer, but he now works with Jack Draper.

Then, at the end of 2022, she was linked with Jez Green – another highly-rated fitness trainer who helped turn Sir Andy Murray into the mighty physical specimen we remember from his glory days.

While Green’s appointment was welcomed enthusiastically at the time, it turned out to be something of a mirage, because he was still contracted to another former US Open champion in Dominic Thiem. After helping Raducanu with her winter training block, his input was limited thereafter.

If it were to be approved, the full-time appointment of Nakamura would send a powerful message. At 21, Raducanu is still in the developmental phase of her career, despite the game-changing victory she scored in New York three years ago.

Tennis insiders see a genuine talent who has been held back by injuries and a revolving-door approach to coaches, every one of whom has come with their own ideas.

What they haven’t seen, yet, is that Raducanu has the hunger that distinguishes world-beaters like Aryna Sabalanka and Iga Swiatek – the two women who have dominated the WTA Tour for the past two seasons.