“I’ve never seen a player improve that fast in one week”: Vladimir Platenik opens up about two-week coaching stint with Emma Raducanu
Emma Raducanu’s Short-Term Coach Vladimir Platenik Highlights Key Improvements
Emma Raducanu’s short-term coach, Vladimir Platenik, has shared insights on working with the young British tennis star. Once hailed as the next big thing after her stunning US Open victory at just 18 years old in 2021, Raducanu has since faced ongoing struggles, largely due to fitness concerns.
Recently, the 21-year-old competed in the WTA 1000 event in Indian Wells, where she suffered a disappointing first-round exit. However, she has since rebounded at the Miami Open, securing a spot in the round of 64 with a commanding 6-2, 6-1 victory over Japan’s Sayaka Ishii.
Platenik’s Observations on Raducanu’s Game
Platenik, who worked with Raducanu for about two weeks, spoke to The Times about his experience coaching the former world No. 10. He revealed that he quickly identified a major flaw in her technique and was impressed by how rapidly she adapted and improved.
“I was watching Emma working with the hitting partner from England [Tom Welsh], and I was a little surprised by what they were doing,” Platenik explained. “The match [at Indian Wells] played out the way I expected because the structure of her practices wasn’t ideal.”
He noted a lack of live-ball drills in Raducanu’s training, which he believed contributed to her struggles during matches. “For me, there were very few live balls on the move. There was too much hand-feeding and drilling. When you watched her match in Indian Wells, she wasn’t able to stay in rallies. That happens when players don’t practice enough live-ball situations. Her footwork was also poor,” he added.
Rapid Progress and a Glimpse of Potential
Despite the challenges, Platenik was impressed with Raducanu’s ability to absorb new concepts and make rapid progress. “I follow biomechanical and physical principles, paying attention to a lot of details, and I didn’t see that in Emma’s game initially. But I’ve never seen a player improve that fast in one week,” he remarked.
He described how Raducanu quickly grasped new techniques through video analysis and dedicated sparring sessions. “After a couple of days, she was really positive. She said, ‘I’m improving, and it’s getting better.’ She also had very good hitting sessions. I was thinking, ‘OK, she gets it, she understands it.’”
Platenik’s observations reinforce Raducanu’s natural talent and potential for resurgence if she continues refining her game. While her career has faced setbacks, the Miami Open offers another opportunity for her to build momentum and put these improvements to the test.
