Emma Raducanu Opens Up About Her Goals With New Coach Days After Split with Rafael Nadal’s Ex-Coach

Emma Raducanu has chosen renowned LTA coach Alexis Carter to assist her on tour just days after parting ways with Rafael Nadal’s ex-coach Francisco Roig after just six months working together. Despite these big changes, the British No.1 failed to claim her first title in almost five years at the Transylvania Open.

Raducanu’s hopes of a first title since her 2021 US Open triumph were crushed to pieces in the final. The 23-year-old arrived in Cluj after a poor run at the Australian Open, where she reached the second round. Hopes of redeeming herself came at the Transylvania Open, where she was the top seed and favorite.

Her first tough task at the WTA 250 tournament came against Oleksandra Oliynykova in the semi-finals. The Ukrainian star, who made a name for herself at the Australian Open, gave Raducanu a very tough time on the court, but the British star found a way to overcome the hurdle, winning in three sets.

However, in the final, Raducanu was nowhere near her best on the court. She managed to win just two games, with Sorana Cirstea running the show. The former US Open champion lost 0-6, 2-6 in an hour and three minutes on the court. The title was Cirstea’s fourth in her 20-year-old career as she plans to retire at the end of this season.

Nonetheless, Raducanu has been heavily criticized for changing coaches after working with Roig for just six months before parting ways with him. She revealed after the tournament in an interview with Sky Sports, that her goal with her temporary coach Carter is to help her hit better on the court.

He’s been helping me, hitting with me, and he’s been around me through various different stages, very different game styles, and trying to just bring me back to myself – my game identity – playing in the way I want to. I think this week was a good step in that direction. I’m really happy with how the week’s gone. I don’t know what I’ll be doing moving forward, but for now, this is working.

Raducanu had won just one match this season before competing at the Transylvania Open. The former World No.10 had not even won three consecutive matches on tour since July. But in Cluj, she won four matches in straight sets before losing to Cirstea.

Emma Raducanu reveals why she lost the Transylvania Open final

Raducanu didn’t start the season at her best physical level. At the United Cup, she pulled out of the United Kingdom’s opening match but played in the second group stage match, losing to Greece’s Maria Sakkari. However, she decided to play at the Australian Open, not minding her struggles, and exited in the second round.

At the Transylvania Open, she finally got to her best form, winning four matches en route to the final. But surprisingly, in the championship match, she looked far from her best self on the court. During the aforementioned interview, the 23-year-old admitted she didn’t have much energy while playing Sorana Cirstea.

I’m really happy with the steps I made this week, and I think it’s moving in the right direction. I didn’t really have much energy, and it was really difficult. Sorana played so well – I had no chance if I wasn’t 100 per cent, and even if I was 100 per cent, she was still playing incredible tennis. So all credit to her, she really deserves this one.

Raducanu will not have time to rest as she will be back on the court at the Qatar Open. She will face Camila Osorio in the first round on Monday (February 9). But she’s likely to face Coco Gauff in the fourth round of the tournament, while a potential clash with Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals awaits her.

Also Read: Daniil Medvedev Issues Scathing Attack on HEAD Tennis Balls at Rotterdam Open

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW