Emma Raducanu Accepts Wildcard for Qatar Open Amid Coaching Uncertainty
Emma Raducanu has accepted a late wildcard to compete in the Qatar Open next week, as she looks to snap a three-match losing streak and gain momentum early in the 2025 season.
The world No. 56 and British No. 2 has struggled for form following her Australian Open third-round exit and has since suffered first-round defeats in both Singapore and Abu Dhabi. Now, instead of returning home, Raducanu has opted to extend her Middle East stay and compete in another WTA 1000 event while continuing to evaluate her coaching situation.
Raducanu’s Coaching Search Continues
Raducanu is currently without a full-time coach after parting ways with Nick Cavaday, her childhood mentor, who stepped down due to chronic health concerns. Since then, she has been working with fitness trainer Yutaka Kelecic and briefly had Roman Kelecic, a Dubai-based coach from earlier in her career, in her corner during Abu Dhabi.
However, the 2021 US Open champion has made it clear that she will not rush into hiring her seventh full-time coach since turning pro.
“It’s a decision that I want to take my time with,” Raducanu told The National.
“I think that’s why I haven’t necessarily jumped into something straight away, because I want to make sure it’s the right fit.”
She emphasized the importance of using this transitional period to understand her own needs and expectations before making a commitment.
“This period where I don’t necessarily have someone is going to tell me a lot. It’s going to teach me what I want, what I don’t want to look for in the next person.
I’m just taking the next couple of weeks to see how I feel, and then I’ll make a decision.”
Tough Field in Doha
Raducanu’s quest for a deep tournament run won’t be easy, as the Qatar Open boasts a strong field, led by world No. 2 Iga Świątek, who is aiming for her fourth consecutive Doha title. The four-time Grand Slam champion recently dominated Raducanu at the Australian Open, dropping just one game in their third-round clash.
With her coaching situation still unresolved and form shaky, Raducanu faces a pivotal week in Doha. Can she rediscover her rhythm and turn her season around? The tennis world will be watching.
