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Emma Raducanu Wimbledon 2021
British Tennis Players, Tennis News, Wimbledon, WTA Tennis Players

‘The sky is the limit for Emma Raducanu,’ says her coach


The coach of 18-year-old British sensation Emma Raducanu believes the ‘sky is the limit’ ahead of her third-round clash at Wimbledon.

Raducanu, who is the youngest British player to reach the third round at Wimbledon since Andy Murray in 2005, has attracted plenty of attention after beating French Open finalist Marketa Vondrousova last time out.

The Toronto-born star, who has been known as a serious talent within the British game for many years, will take on Sorana Cirstea, who recently conquered Victoria Azarenka, on Saturday.

Her coach and Andy Murray’s father-in-law Nigel Sears, believes Raducanu has the ability and the hunger to become a top player.

“Quite frankly, I think the sky’s the limit,” said Sears, who formerly coached World No 25 Anett Kontaveit.

“I think Emma compares very favourably in terms of material. I always have felt that, I thought that from day one.

“She has the necessary qualities and she’s hungry enough and eager to learn. She’s ambitious and given the right opportunities and match experience, she’ll make good progress. It’s really up to her how far she goes.

“She’s handled this superbly. I couldn’t ask for any more. She thinks big, which is one of the things I really liked about her when I first met her some years back. I just think she’s born to play tennis and she likes the stage, and she’s eating it up.”

Despite showing very few signs of nerves against Vondrousova, Sears admitted that Raducanu has felt the pressure previously.

“I’m not saying that nerves have never been an issue because she froze against Harriet Dart on centre court at Nottingham with about five people watching,” said Sears.

“But the great thing is that this has been progressive. She played her first match here on Court 18, where she had a very good experience as a junior. So when she was scheduled on Court 18 she said, ‘Great, I love that court’.

“Then she was quite happy when she was scheduled on 18 again then they switched to 12 and she said, ‘Oh that’s good, that’s fine’. She played well on that and so now I think she’s ready. She’s ready to step up for a big court.”


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.