Emma Raducanu may have won her first-round match at Indian Wells comfortably, but she remains a focal point of scrutiny within the tennis world.
This has been the way for years now, and that criticism has only intensifyied as she continues to make bold decisions in an effort to forge her own path to success.
Her latest has seen Raducanu admit she will not rush to hire a new coach, which unsurprisingly has sparked plenty of debate.
Alexander Zverev has now offered his verdict on this claim.
Alexander Zverev speaks about Emma Raducanu’s latest bold decision
Asked at his press conference to discuss this decision and whether he would ever consider such a strategy, the German was sympathetic but stern in his assessment.
Zverev claimed: “I think Emma is a very special case. I love her, I really do, but I think Emma and coaching is quite a big difference between me and coaching.
Who should be Emma Raducanu’s next coach?
“I have been with the same coach for 28 years, so yeah, it’s a bit of a different question, different subject with her specifically.
“I mean, she has a coach here, right, with Mark Petchey. It’s up to her. I mean, I don’t know. I have the same people around that I like to work with, so that’s just me.”
Aryna Sabalenka also gave her thoughts on Raducanu’s coaching situation, with Coco Gauff asked about it too.
Alexander Zverev needs to make some changes of his own
Whilst Emma Raducanu decision to make this change was bold and clear, Zverev will be well aware that he needs to make some tweaks of his own.
However, they are concerned with his play style rather than his coaching team.
Fortunately, the 28-year-old is well aware of this, with aggression on the court having been lacking over the years.
He is one of the most consistent and hard-working players on tour, but has lacked the necessary firepower needed to regularly challenge the world’s best.
Against Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open though, he offered glimpses of a player keen to make these changes and attack whenever possible.
Do you think Alexander Zverev has what it takes to win a Grand Slam?
In the end, the gruelling nature of the match was all that stopped him from claiming a huge victory.
The signs are positive for Zverev, who is still desperately searching for that maiden Grand Slam title.
