INDIAN WELLS − British star, Emma Raducanu, plans to take her time before hiring a new coach as she returns for her first tournament since winning the US Open at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.
The 18-year-old, who stunned the tennis world at the US Open after becoming the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title, parted company with coach, Andrew Richardson, following her victory in New York.
Emma had teamed up with Andrew, who coached her for two years in her junior years, on a short-term deal after splitting with Nigel Sears, who helped her reach the fourth round at Wimbledon.
Although the tennis ace will be assisted by former professional, Jeremy Bates, at the ATP/WTA Indian Wells tournament in the California desert this week, she is still looking for a permanent coach.
Jeremy, the former British number one, is the head of women's tennis at the sport's British governing body, the Lawn Tennis Association.
“Jeremy is part of women's tennis at the LTA and while he's here, he can help me out,” Emma said.
“But going forward, I'm just going to try and find the right person. I'm not going to rush into anything. I want to make sure that I make the right decision.”
Emma believes that for the time being, she will be more than capable of being her own coach during matches.
“I'm quite confident,” she said. “I know that even though I’m quite young, I've got a lot of experience banked. And at the end of the day, you're out there on your own, and you have to be your own coach on the court.
“I'm just looking for the general things in a coach − someone that you get along with well and someone who can push you.”
However, Emma Raducanu’s family have a preferred profile in mind for the US Open winner’s coach, according to reports.
It is believed that the Raducanus are searching for a “grizzled campaigner” who has vast experience of the WTA tour. Despite how instrumental Andrew was to Emma’s US Open success, they believe that he is not that man.
“It’s tough to have that conversation with anyone, but I need someone who’s had that professional tour experience, and has been through it, and seen players in my situation for many years, going through the same, because it’s going to take a lot,” Emma said after her split from Andrew.
“The players at the top are serious competition players. I just really need someone right now who has been through that and can really guide me along the way because I’m still very, very new to everything.
Emma’s life has been transformed since her victory at the US Open, which catapulted the youngster into the public eye as the new darling of British tennis.
However, the teenager says she is not letting the fame go to her head and does not plan to change her approach to tournaments.
“I don't really want to change anything,” she said. “What got me to this point is not thinking anything differently.
“If I just put additional thoughts in my head, then that will just create a problem. I am just going to keep going about my business and staying the same.”
“When I was back at home, I still didn't really go out. I was just at home with my family. I got some cool invitations, kind messages and kind words. I didn't get too caught up in it.”
Meanwhile, Emma is excited by the thought of being part of a new generation of young women's tennis players, which includes the likes of her opponent in the US Open final, Canada's Leylah Fernandez, and fellow teen, Coco Gauff.
“All of us are pushing each other,” she said. “When you see one of the other players doing well, you're also competitive and you want to do well.
“The women's game, in general, is so strong right now − the level is so high and anyone can win in any tournament. Hopefully, we can play each other in many more tournaments to come.”
Emma has received a wild card entry to Indian Wells and will be given a bye straight into tomorrow’s second round, putting her on course for a potential third round meeting with her idol, Simona Halep, in the third round. – Agencies, October 7, 2021
