Emma Raducanu is still without a full-time coach, and that is a stance that shows no signs of changing anytime soon.
It is a position she took after her split with Francisco Roig, insisting that she planned to return to the aggressive roots that took her to the US Open title almost six years ago now.
However, as she continues to push forward with her career, there’s hope that she does not remain stubborn in this stance.
After all, it could prohibit her development, should she not make the obvious choice eventually.
Emma Raducanu says she needs to improve her serve
Earlier this month, Raducanu stated that she won’t rush to hire a new full-time coach. She was happy to go it alone, backed by a few trusted advisors.
She claimed: “I don’t necessarily want to have one coach in the role because anyone I bring in is straight away going to be scrutinised – even if it’s a trial.
Who should be Emma Raducanu’s next coach?
“I might feel the pressure to stick with them, even if it’s not necessarily the right decision.
“It’s just that I would rather someone not come in and tell me ‘let’s do this’, and I disagree with it but have to listen to them.”
This was a fair and brave stance to take, but one that became somewhat indefensible when, after her loss to Anisimova, she highlighted a technical improvement she hopes to make, but simply will not be able to without a coach.
Emma Raducanu claimed: “When I’m playing someone who’s at the top like that, I think they have an extra 10 miles an hour on their serve than me.
“If I’m not feeling it, that gap feels more evident in terms of weight of shot, in terms of power. You just feel a little bit behind and your punches aren’t landing as much as theirs are.”
If only there were an easy fix…
Emma Raducanu needs to hire a coach who believes in her plan
It seems ironic that Raducanu has managed to identify two big changes she wants to make in her game, yet is incapable of finding a long-term coach to implement those alterations.
After all, it wouldn’t take much to find a tactician who is aligned with her aggressive outlook on the sport, who could also provide the technical know-how to improve her serve too.
The Brit’s coaching situation has been under particular scrutiny for the bulk of her young career thus far, but her reaction to that cannot be more stubbornness in the opposite direction.
She has so much talent, but simply must find someone to direct it.
Where do you think Emma Raducanu will finish 2026 ranked?
There’s no rush on this decision, but she is unlikely to ever become a serious regular threat for elite honours unless she swallows her pride, accepts that she will have to surrender herself to the ideals of another, and buys in wholeheartedly.
Raducanu is fortunate that she will at least get to choose who she puts her belief in.
