Emma Raducanu’s Indecision Before French Open is ‘Staggering’ According to Former British No.1
Emma Raducanu is bidding to win her first title since the 2021 US Open at the Italian Open, which she is playing for the first time since 2022.
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Emma Raducanu (Image via X/Cancha Central)
Emma Raducanu doesn’t have a permanent coach. She started working with Andy Murray‘s former coach Mark Petchey. Along with Petchey, Raducanu also has Jane O’Donoghue in her team at the ongoing Italian Open.
Last month, Raducanu said she has not made things formal with Petchey as a coach. Raducanu’s compatriot Dan Evans, a former British No.1, doesn’t understand why the youngster hasn’t sorted her coaching team before the French Open.
For me, it is staggering how something is not in place. It’s all good now when she is using this, not sure the actual words she said, but as development – I’m not sure what that means for the next few weeks. But you need a solid group of people there day in and day out.
Emma Raducanu said on BBC 5 Live Sport
Raducanu has often faced criticism due to her coaching situation. She has so far worked with Nigel Sears, Andrew Richardson, Torben Beltz, Jeremy Bates, Dmitry Tursunov, Sebastian Sachs, Nick Cavaday, and Vladimir Platenik. Cavandey, the last permanent coach, left her team to prioritize his health. She parted ways with Platenik just after two weeks.
Emma Raducanu lauds Jack Draper after his Madrid Open campaign
While Emma Raducanu is searching for her first title since winning the 2021 US Open as a teenager and as a qualifier, compatriot Jack Draper lifted the biggest title of his career this year. He beat Holger Rune in straight sets in the final of Indian Wells, en route to which, he also knocked out Carlos Alcaraz.
After losing his first-round match at the Miami Open and the fourth-round match of the Monte Carlo Masters, the 23-year-old reached another Masters 1000 final. He met three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud in the final of the Madrid Open but was unsuccessful in beating him. Raducanu, ahead of her Italian Open campaign lauded Draper for his impressive results.
It’s amazing to see what he’s achieved and how much he’s done. I know he’s a great tennis player and he [has] such a big stature that he can take the game out of anyone’s hands. For him to kind of dominate like he has been is really cool to see.
Emma Raducanu told Sky Sports
Draper too is in Rome, chasing his first Italian Open title. The fifth seed, who removed 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic from the fifth position on the rankings table, will meet Luciano Darderi to kick-start his campaign.
Emma Raducanu to meet Ekaterina Alexandrova at the Italian Open
Emma Raducanu has already started her campaign in the second clay-court WTA 1000 of the season. She defeated Maya Joint, registering her first win in the Italian capital.
Raducanu, who is playing the Italian Open for the first time since 2022, will meet Ekaterina Alexandrova in the second round. The British ace has met the Russian ace twice on the WTA Tour.
They locked horns for the first time in the first round of this year’s Australian Open which Raducanu won, before registering her best result in the Major event Down Under (reached the third round which she lost to Iga Swiatek). Following Melbourne, Raducanu was pitted against the 30-year-old in the round of 64 of the Qatar Open, where Alexandrova took her revenge. The upcoming match will be their first meeting on clay.
Raducanu could set up a fourth-round clash with this year’s Madrid Open finalist Coco Gauff. In the quarterfinals, Raducanu is projected to meet this year’s Dubai Open and Indian Wells champion Mirra Andreeva. In the semifinal, she could face World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, while in the final, she is projected to face Swiatek.
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