Emma Raducanu has revealed that she is in no rush to appoint a new coach following the departure of Nick Cavaday, who left her team after the Australian Open due to personal health concerns.
The British tennis star is currently working without a coach and sees this period as an opportunity for self-discovery. She believes the experience will help her determine the qualities she needs in her next mentor.
Cavaday was the sixth coach of Raducanu’s career, and some critics argue that her frequent coaching changes have contributed to her inconsistent form since her remarkable 2021 US Open triumph. However, a series of injuries has also played a significant role in her struggles.
“It’s a decision I want to take my time with,” said Raducanu, currently ranked world No. 56. “That’s why I haven’t jumped into anything right away—I want to make sure it’s the right fit.
“This period without a coach is going to tell me a lot. It will help me understand what I want and don’t want in my next coach. So I’m using this time to figure out what I truly value. I haven’t made any decisions yet, but over the next few weeks, I’ll assess how I feel before making a choice.”
Raducanu has previously acknowledged that she never intended to go through so many coaches. Her past coaching team includes Nigel Sears, Andrew Richardson, Torben Beltz, Dmitry Tursunov, and Sebastian Sachs. She famously won the US Open under Richardson before controversially parting ways with him and bringing in Beltz.
“I never wanted that level of turnover with coaches,” Raducanu admitted last year. “Unfortunately, it hasn’t always worked out that way. When I enjoy working with someone and there’s a good energy, it’s a great feeling. I also see how much I’ve grown over the past year, both on and off the court.”
Raducanu has now traveled to the UAE to compete in the Abu Dhabi Open. She was initially awarded a qualifying wildcard, which was later upgraded to a main-draw entry following player withdrawals. This would have marked the first time in three-and-a-half years that the 22-year-old had played in a tournament’s qualifying rounds since her historic US Open victory.
