Emma Raducanu early exit in Abu Dhabi brings questions

Emma Raducanu faces another first-round defeat as she navigates ongoing coaching transitions and injury concerns.

Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, faced a challenging start at the Abu Dhabi Open, losing in the first round to 2023 Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-4. This defeat follows her recent first-round exit at the Singapore Open, highlighting a series of early tournament departures.

The British tennis star’s journey has been further complicated by coaching transitions. Nick Cavaday, who had been guiding Raducanu, recently stepped back from his role to prioritize his health. In his absence, Raducanu has been working with temporary coach Roman Kelecic and fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura. Reflecting on the situation, Raducanu stated, “It’s never really been my interest or philosophy to chop and change coaches. I’ve never really wanted that.”

During the match against Vondrousova, Raducanu struggled with consistency, committing 32 unforced errors, which overshadowed her improved serving performance. She also appeared to experience physical discomfort, occasionally clutching her neck. Despite these challenges, Raducanu remains a focal point in the tennis world as she prepares for her next appearance, potentially in the qualifying rounds of the Qatar Open. She expressed a desire to understand her coaching needs better during this period, stating, “I think this period without a coach will help me understand what I need and what I want.”

Following the departure of her coach, Nick Cavaday, Raducanu has been advised to take her time in selecting a new coach. Former British No. 1 Laura Robson cautioned, “If she makes a quick decision and it doesn’t work out, everyone will go nuts.” Robson emphasized the importance of finding the right fit to avoid further public and media scrutiny.

Inside the Baseline…