British tennis star, Emma Raducanu, has hit back at critics who have questioned her constant coaching changes with a sweet nod to the Royal Family. Emma will be playing in the US Open alongside her new coach, Francisco Roig, and he’ll become the tennis pro’s ninth coach of her career.
Pundits and fans have questioned her constant coaching changes and some claim it has impacted her form. But answering back to her critics, Emma said: “If you’ve had a trial, you don’t have to carry on after the trial. A few have been trials, a few have been other situations. And I just try and take the high road. And try to do what the Royal Family would do.”
Tennis star Emma was seemingly referencing the Royal Family’s famous “Never complain, never explain” mantra to rumours concerning them. The mantra is a long-standing unofficial motto associated with the royals, particularly during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. It reflects a stoic and reserved approach to public life and media scrutiny.
The star laughed through the last sentence, seemingly implying she would continue their example of not speaking publicly on individuals or controversial situations.
After her breakthrough win in New York in 2021, Raducanu received a message from then-Monarch Queen Elizabeth II offering her congratulations. The queen praised Raducanu’s “remarkable achievement” but the player later admitted she framed the letter.
The letter from the late Queen Elizabeth II read: “I send my congratulations to you on your success in winning the United States Open Tennis Championships. It is a remarkable achievement at such a young age, and is testament to your hard work and dedication.
“I have no doubt your outstanding performance, and that of your opponent Leylah Fernandez, will inspire the next generation of tennis players. I send my warmest good wishes to you and your many supporters.”
King Charles has previously joked with Emma about her constant changes in coaching too. Upon being handed an MBE by King Charles III in 2022, shortly after winning the US Open, he asked if she “had found a coach yet?” during a royal ceremony. Raducanu saw the funny side of the jibe, with the pair joking together afterwards.
Just aged 20 years old at the time, she revealed how hilarious the monarch truly was following the Royal encounter. Speaking to the Sunday Times Style Magazine in 2023, Raducanu admitted that the King had “good banter” when he asked her: “Have you found a coach yet?”
At the time, Emma said: “I was like, ‘That’s good banter!’ It was so funny, I was laughing because everyone was ripping me for not having a coach. I was like, ‘The fact you know this, I feel honoured.'”
