For Emma Raducanu, securing the right coach could be essential in overcoming the challenges of the tour and maintaining long-term success…
Emma Raducanu, the British tennis
sensation who captured global attention
with her 2021 US Open victory, has
recently faced criticism from renowned
tennis coach Rick Macci. Macci, who
previously coached legends like Serena
Williams, expressed concerns over
Raducanu’s frequent coaching changes
following her early exit from the
Singapore Open.
Raducanu’s Recent Performance
At the Singapore Open, Raducanu faced a
challenging first-round match against
Spain’s Cristina Bucșa. Despite a strong
start, winning the first set 7-5, Raducanu
couldn’t maintain her momentum and
eventually lost the match with scores of
7-5, 5-7, 5-7. This defeat marked her third
consecutive early exit in the 2025 season,
following similar outcomes at the ASB
Classic and the Australian Open.
Rick Macci’s Critique
In response to Raducanu’s recent
performances, Rick Macci took to social
media to share his perspective. He
emphasized that Raducanu possesses the
talent and mental fortitude to be a top
player but suggested that her frequent
coaching changes might be hindering her
progress. Macci stated, “She has more
coaches the past 4 years than titles so
maybe she should hire Emma to coach
Emma.” ([tennisuptodate.com]
(https://tennisuptodate.com/wta/she-has-
more-coaches-the-past-4-years-than-
titles-serena-williams-ex-coach-criticises-
emma-raducanu-after-disappointing-
singapore-open-outing?
utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Coaching Instability
Raducanu’s coaching journey has been
notably turbulent. In the past three
years, she has worked with six different
coaches. Most recently, her coach Nick
Cavaday announced their split, citing a
desire to prioritize his health and spend
more time at home. Cavaday had been
with Raducanu for 14 months and played
a role in helping her reestablish herself
on the tour. ([essentiallysports.com]
(https://www.essentiallysports.com/wta-
tennis-news-amidst-coaching-woes-
serena-williams-ex-coach-stresses-on-
emma-raducanus-need-of-the-hour/?
utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Macci’s Advice.
Macci further elaborated on what he
believes Raducanu needs to regain her
form. He suggested that she requires a
“quarterback”—a coach who
understands the mental game and can
instill bulletproof confidence. He
emphasized that with the right guidance,
Raducanu could return to being one of
the best players in the world.
([essentiallysports.com]
(https://www.essentiallysports.com/wta-
tennis-news-amidst-coaching-woes-
serena-williams-ex-coach-stresses-on-
emma-raducanus-need-of-the-hour/?
utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Looking Ahead
As Raducanu prepares for upcoming
tournaments, including the Abu Dhabi
Open in February, the tennis community
is keen to see how she addresses these
critiques and whether she will establish
a more stable coaching relationship. The
consensus among experts is that with her
undeniable talent, a consistent and
supportive coaching environment could
be pivotal in helping her reclaim her
Grand Slam-winning form.
In the high-stakes world of professional
tennis, the synergy between a player and
their coach is crucial. For Emma
Raducanu, finding the right mentor
could be the key to navigating the
challenges of the tour and achieving
sustained success.
