Emma Raducanu: US Open champion says her coaches couldn’t ‘keep up’ with her questions | Tennis News

Emma Raducanu Reveals Insights into Her Coaching Journey, Comeback Plans, and Olympic Aspirations

Emma Raducanu sheds light on the reasons behind her frequent coaching changes, gives an update on her injury recovery, and shares her ambitions for Paris 2024 Olympics.

The reigning champion of the 2021 US Open admits that her coaches couldn’t keep up with her relentless curiosity and inquisitive nature, resulting in her revolving door of coaching staff. After parting ways with Sebastian Sachs in June, Raducanu is yet to select a new coach.

In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Raducanu says, “I ask my coaches a multitude of questions. Unfortunately, some of them haven’t been able to match the level of my inquiries, which may have led to our separation.”

“This is something I’ve always done. I persistently provoke and challenge my coaches’ thinking by posing questions,” she adds.

“I’m not someone who blindly follows instructions. I need to comprehend the reasons behind them before implementing any actions.”

Raducanu’s coaching carousel began with Nigel Sears, who left after her stellar performance at the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2021. She went on to secure her inaugural Grand Slam title in New York with Andrew Richardson two months later.

Torben Beltz had a brief stint as her coach from November 2021 to April 2022, before being replaced by Dimitri Tursunov. The latter cautioned Raducanu about the potential detrimental effects of listening to too many voices.

Due to surgery on both her wrists and an ankle in May, Raducanu has been out of competitive tennis since her defeat to Jelena Ostapenko in Stuttgart back in April.

While she aims to make a comeback at the beginning of the upcoming season, Raducanu remains pragmatic about her chances of winning gold for Team GB at the Paris Olympics in 2024.

“Undoubtedly, the Olympics hold immense significance in the world of sports,” says Raducanu.

“If I truly desire, I believe I can participate in another four. Therefore, this particular Olympics doesn’t impose an immediate rush or pressure on me; it’s primarily about returning to the court,” she explains.

“While I cherish the Grand Slams, I also aspire to experience the Olympics,” Raducanu adds. “I will assess the situation, including my qualification prospects and how things unfold.”