British tennis sensation Emma Raducanu has shed light on the reasons behind her frequent coaching changes, attributing them to her inquisitive nature and desire to deeply understand her training regimen. The 2021 US Open champion revealed that her persistent questioning and need for comprehensive explanations may have been challenging for some of her coaches to accommodate.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Raducanu stated, “I ask my coaches a lot of questions. On certain occasions, they haven’t been able to keep up with the questions I’ve asked, and maybe that’s why it ended.” She emphasized her approach to training, noting, “I keep provoking and asking questions to coaches and challenging their thinking as well. I’m not someone that you can just tell me what to do and I’ll do it. I need to understand why, and then I’ll do it.”
Since her remarkable Grand Slam victory, Raducanu has worked with several coaches, including Nigel Sears, Andrew Richardson, Torben Beltz, Dimitry Tursunov, and most recently, Sebastian Sachs. The 20-year-old parted ways with Sachs in June 2023 and has yet to appoint a new coach.
Raducanu’s father, Ian, has played a significant role in shaping her analytical approach to the sport. She acknowledged his influence, saying, “I think my dad was someone who always provoked me to think, to ask questions. I got my logical side from him and my resilient side from my mum.”
In addition to her coaching challenges, Raducanu has faced injury setbacks that have impacted her ranking and tournament participation. She underwent surgeries on both wrists and an ankle in May 2023 and has been focusing on rehabilitation. Despite these challenges, she remains optimistic about her return to competitive tennis and has expressed aspirations to represent Great Britain in future Olympic Games. Raducanu remarked, “I think I could play another four [Olympics] if I really wanted to, so this one [Paris 2024] isn’t the immediate rush or pressure.”
As Raducanu continues her recovery, the tennis community eagerly anticipates her return to the court. Her commitment to understanding the intricacies of her training and performance underscores her dedication to the sport and her pursuit of ex
cellence.
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