Aryna Sabalenka is into the third round at Indian Wells, having breezed past Himeno Sakatsume in straight sets.
And, following her engagement earlier this week, she was unsurprisingly brimming with joy at her subsequent press conference.
The Belarusian spoke about everything from her tennis to her new fiancé, but was likely a little surprised when the subject of Emma Raducanu came up.
Aryna Sabalenka was asked to offer her verdict on the Brit’s coaching situation, and provided a lengthy insight.
Aryna Sabalenka on Emma Raducanu’s coaching decisions
Speaking about whether she could ever proceed forward without a coach, just as Raducanu plans to do, Sabalenka was certain with her answer.
She noted: “Yeah, I’m ready to fire all of them right now. (Laughter).
Who should be Emma Raducanu’s next coach?
“No, I think for me personally it would be tough. I think even though I’m mentally tough and strong, for me it’s important to feel the support and to see my team in the box and just have my people around.
“So for me, I mean, right now I don’t see myself being without the coach. And even though I’m, like, smart and I know tennis, I kind of like know everything, but at the same time, I don’t like to go in the practice and do the whole practice myself. It just takes too much of an energy.
“I just need the coach to schedule the practice, to make me do stuff and just so the only thing I’m worried about is my tennis, not like which exercise should I do today? What should I work on today?
“For me, it would be difficult. But I feel like she has been struggling a lot with finding the right coach, the right fit for her. I think maybe for her it’s good to take this little break, not rushing, like, bringing just anyone in her team. That just makes more problems, I feel like, and insecurity, you don’t have your person around.
“I feel like maybe for her it’s a good decision, but I feel like she’s going to obviously end up having coach. I think she just needs to choose carefully the person that she’s gonna bring on her team.”
Emma Raducanu’s flawless first match in Indian Wells
Whilst Raducanu is working with Mark Petchey this week, this tournament still marks yet another where she is without a permanent fixture in her coaching box.
Ever since she split with Francisco Roig, the 22-year-old has been happy to continue pushing forward without any set guidance.
Who wins more Grand Slams in their career – Elena Rybakina or Aryna Sabalenka?
She knows the kind of tennis she wants to play, and seemingly doesn’t need a mentor to try to guide her towards it.
It’s a bold, unique move that could pay off, but will almost definitely draw scrutiny.
However, given how flawless and aggressive Raducanu looked in her opening-round win in the California desert, beating Anastasia Zakharova in straight sets, the early signs are positive.
