Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has addressed criticism over her frequent coaching changes by vowing to adopt the Royal Family’s approach of maintaining dignity and restraint in public discussions. Speaking ahead of the 2025 US Open, from which she withdrew due to ongoing wrist and ankle injuries, the 22-year-old British star, ranked No. 33, dismissed the narrative that she’s cycled through numerous coaches, stating that some appointments “don’t count” as they were trials or short-term arrangements. Her comments, reported by Express.co.uk on August 16, 2025, reflect her intent to mirror the Royal Family’s practice of avoiding controversial public statements.
Raducanu’s coaching carousel has been a focal point since her 2021 US Open triumph. After parting with Andrew Richardson, who guided her to the title, she worked with coaches like Torben Beltz, Dmitry Tursunov, Sebastian Sachs, and Nick Cavaday, who left in 2025 due to health issues. She recently appointed Rafael Nadal’s former coach, Francis Roig, to work alongside Mark Petchey, a childhood mentor. Critics have pointed to these changes as disruptive, with Serena Williams’ former coach Rick Macci noting, “She has more coaches the past 4 years than titles” (tennisuptodate.com). Raducanu countered, “I would say, when you see things and you’re like: ‘Oh, Emma on her ninth coach’ or something, I’m like: ‘Guys, come on.’ Certain ones don’t count… If you’ve had a trial, you don’t have to carry on after the trial” (www.express.co.uk).
Her reference to the Royal Family stems from a lighthearted moment during a 2022 MBE ceremony, where King Charles III playfully asked if she had “found a coach yet,” prompting laughter (www.express.co.uk). Raducanu explained, “I just try and take the high road. And try to do what the royal family would do,” implying she avoids public disputes or detailed explanations about her coaching decisions (www.express.co.uk). This approach aligns with her response to media scrutiny, including recent questions about her friendship with Carlos Alcaraz, which she called “terrible” (www.theguardian.com).
Raducanu’s strategy mirrors other athletes’ selective focus, like Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin prioritizing the Davis Cup or Coco Gauff managing off-court stress. Despite her US Open withdrawal, her progress under Roig, seen in a competitive Cincinnati Open loss to Aryna Sabalenka, suggests a maturing game. Posts on X reflect mixed sentiments, with one user noting, “Emma’s Royal Family vibe is class, but she needs coaching stability” (@TennisFan123, August 16, 2025). As she prepares for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, Raducanu’s dignified stance aims to shift focus to her tennis.
