All eyes will be on Raducanu as she strives to rediscover her “superstar” form under the guidance of a coach who has always had faith in her potential…
Emma Raducanu is tapping into a
familiar connection as she seeks to
rediscover the form that saw her make
tennis history at the US Open. The British
tennis star, now ranked No. 56 in the
world, is working with Croatian coach
Roman Kelecic at the Abu Dhabi Open,
marking a reunion with a mentor who
has long believed in her potential.
Raducanu, who made waves by
becoming the first-ever qualifier to win a
Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2021,
has experienced a tumultuous journey
since that breakthrough. Despite her
meteoric rise to the top, the 21-year-old
has faced struggles with form, fitness,
and consistency, along with the challenge
of establishing a stable coaching
partnership. Kelecic’s arrival is seen by
many as a potential turning point for the
young talent.
A Bond That Dates Back to Raducanu’s Early Years
Roman Kelecic’s connection to Raducanu
goes beyond just a coach-player
relationship. The 38-year-old, who briefly
worked with Raducanu as a junior from
the ages of 14 to 16, has always
recognized the mental toughness and
innate potential of the young Brit.
Despite their professional split, Kelecic
remained in touch with Raducanu’s
family, revealing in an interview that he
had maintained a close relationship with
her father. “They never interfered in the
work of the coach with their daughter,”
Kelecic said, further noting that he still
kept in contact with Raducanu’s family,
highlighting the mutual respect they
share.
As a former player who reached a
career-high ranking of No. 1200 in
singles, Kelecic understands the
challenges faced by young players on the
professional circuit. His transition to
coaching allowed him to mentor
Raducanu during her formative years,
watching her develop into one of the
brightest prospects in the sport.
Kelecic’s Faith in Raducanu’s ‘Superstar’ Potential
In the aftermath of Raducanu’s stunning
US Open victory, Kelecic was one of the
first to publicly back her potential to
dominate the tennis world. He praised
her strong mental fortitude, referencing
her multicultural upbringing, which he
believes has shaped her into a resilient
and determined player. “Her father is
Romanian, her mother is Chinese. There
was no relaxation in her upbringing. The
rules are known and the rules are
followed. She has hardened, she is
extremely strong psychologically,”
Kelecic said, predicting that Raducanu
would avoid the pitfalls that often befall
young stars. “She is simply destined for
success. Her time is yet to come,” he
added, underlining his belief that
Raducanu’s greatest strength lies in her
mental resilience.
Despite the challenging post-US Open
years, where she faced pressure to
maintain her form and manage
expectations, Raducanu has shown
flashes of brilliance. The partnership
with Kelecic could provide her with the
stability and focus she needs to move
forward.
A Fresh Start With Familiar Guidance
Raducanu’s decision to bring Kelecic
back into the fold at the Abu Dhabi Open
is seen as a calculated move to regain the
form that saw her capture the attention
of the tennis world in 2021. The Croat,
now based in the UAE with his family, is
a natural choice to provide guidance
during Raducanu’s campaign at the WTA
500 event. It remains uncertain whether
Kelecic will continue his role throughout
the rest of Raducanu’s Middle East swing,
but the early signs are promising.
Just as Raducanu’s partnership with
former coach Nick Cavaday sparked a
renewed sense of confidence and form at
the start of 2024, she will be hoping
Kelecic can once again help her
rediscover the sharpness that made her a
sensation in New York three years ago.
Can Kelecic Unlock Raducanu’s Full Potential?
Despite the setbacks, Raducanu’s
potential remains undeniable. Her
triumph at the US Open demonstrated
not just her tennis skills, but her ability
to perform under immense pressure.
With Kelecic by her side once again,
there’s hope that she can overcome the
hurdles of the past few years and once
again challenge the best in the world.
Kelecic’s faith in Raducanu’s abilities
remains unwavering, and if the pair can
form a lasting partnership, it could mark
the beginning of a new chapter in
Raducanu’s career. The tennis world will
be watching closely as Raducanu looks to
recapture her “superstar” potential with
the guidance of a coach who has always
believed in her.
