Raducanu discloses candid assessment by new coach ahead of Sabalenka rematch encounter
Emma Raducanu's New Coach and Her Journey to the Cincinnati Open
Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, is making a comeback under the guidance of experienced coach Francis Roig. Roig, who coached Rafael Nadal from 2005 to 2022, is known for his factual and straightforward approach, which Raducanu finds beneficial.
Raducanu's first match under Roig's guidance at the Cincinnati Open was a successful one, as she swept aside Olga Danilovic, winning 6-3, 6-2. This victory marks a step towards Raducanu's goal of making her deepest Grand Slam run since her record-breaking win at the 2021 US Open.
Raducanu's next opponent at the Cincinnati Open is world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, who previously knocked her out of Wimbledon. This match promises to be a challenging one, but Raducanu is putting in a lot of hours into her training to prepare.
Roig's coaching approach with Raducanu focuses on leveraging his deep technical expertise and tactical acumen, gained from over 18 years working with Nadal, to refine Raducanu's game. This method emphasizes sharp opponent analysis and technical improvements, targeting Raducanu's potential to break her recent pattern of inconsistent results and injuries.
Raducanu herself has expressed hope that Roig can help her defeat top-ranked competitors, indicating confidence in his ability to elevate her performance. Roig, regarded as “technically the best coach in the world” by former professional Feliciano López, is known for his keen reading of opponents and nuanced understanding of tennis’s finer points.
Raducanu has been through numerous coaches in her young career, which has drawn criticism. However, her approach has been defended by some of her fellow pros, including Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios. Kyrgios feels that Raducanu just wants to enjoy her tennis and believes she needs someone who cares about her well-being, not just her tennis.
Raducanu feels that she is approaching her matches in a more calm and mature manner under Roig's guidance. This newfound calmness is evident in her improved quality of shots, as she finds it rewarding when she hits a shot that they have worked on in practice. Kyrgios also thinks that Raducanu enjoys playing tennis more when she's with Katie Boulter in doubles.
Raducanu has been recovering from injuries, having opted for surgery on both wrists and her ankle in 2023. Despite these setbacks, she is determined to make a strong comeback. The Cincinnati Open is a prelude to the US Open, the Grand Slam that Raducanu won in record-breaking fashion in 2021. With Roig by her side, Raducanu is hopeful that she can make another memorable run at the US Open.
[1] Tennis World USA [2] BBC Sport [3] The Guardian [4] Sky Sports
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