Emma Raducanu has received a warning as she begins her search for a new coach. The British No. 2 recently parted ways with Nick Cavaday and is now on the hunt for a new mentor.
But Laura Robson believes Raducanu mustn’t rush into hiring her next coach, as people will go “nuts” if she switches up her team again.
Raducanu and Cavaday recently parted ways after working together for 14 months. One of Raducanu’s childhood coaches, chronic health issues meant Cavaday was not able to travel the tennis tour year-round, and he stepped away to take time at home.
The 22-year-old still has her new fitness trainer, Yutaka Nakamura, in tow and she is temporarily working with one of her junior coaches, Roman Kelecic, in Abu Dhabi this week.
But the Brit has yet to find a full-time replacement for Cavaday, and retired player-turned-pundit Robson believes Raducanu should take her time, or risk sending everyone crazy.
“I don’t think she’s going to rush into it,” Robson said. “Just from an outsider’s point of view, I don’t think she would want to rush into it.
“It’s got to be the right person because I know if she goes for someone and then ends up changing them again quickly, everyone will go nuts.”
The Sky Sports tennis pundit also revealed that Nakamura could spar with Raducanu if needed.
Robson added: “So I think it’s more important she finds the right thing for her. And she’s got Yutaka with her and he’s got huge experience out on tour.
“Also he can hit a bit of a ball as well. I mean, he can have a rally, you wouldn’t rely on that. If he tried to tell you something about your forehand you wouldn’t think ‘Right, what’s he talking about?’”
Raducanu already seems to be heeding Robson’s advice. Ahead of this week’s Abu Dhabi Open, the world No. 56 said she didn’t want to rush her decision on a new coach.
“It’s a decision that I want to take my time with,” she explained. “I think that’s why I haven’t necessarily jumped into something straight away, because I want to make sure it’s a right fit.
“And I think this period where I don’t necessarily have someone is going to tell me a lot. It’s going to teach me a lot, what I want, what I don’t want to look for in the next person.
“So I think I’m using this time period to just figure out what I really value. I’m not too sure yet right now. I haven’t come to any plans or decisions.”
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