Emma Raducanu has earned a reputation for arguing with coaches. Photo: Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images
Emma Raducanu says some of her coaching relationships ended because «they couldn't keep up with her.»
Raducanu, 20, has been in her short career developed a reputation for constantly arguing with coaches: she had five full-time assignments. for two years.
The former US Open champion is currently without a full-time coach and has spent much of the six months off the tour since April recovering from wrist and ankle injuries. .
In an interview with Radio 4's Today program on Friday, Raducanu opened up about how she manages her tennis career and recounted her meteoric achievements in the field.
“I ask my coaches a lot of questions. I think in some cases they couldn’t answer the questions I asked, so maybe that’s why it ended,” she said, laughing. “But yeah, that's what I've always done and I continue to provoke, I continue to question coaches and challenge their thinking. I'm not the kind of person who can just tell me what to do and I'll do it. I need to understand why, and then I will do it.”
Her last full-time coach, German Sebastian Sachs, was considered a smart and diligent young coach with a passion for data and analytics. But the two camps were reportedly unable to agree on the details of the contract, and he ended his cooperation with Raducanu in June.
In July, her agent Max Eisenbud predicted that she would continue to change coaches every few months for the rest of her career because of this «philosophy» instilled in her by her father Ian, and admitted that such tactics could scare off potentially strong candidates. .
Raducanu with his father Ian Photo: David Rose
Raducanu agreed that her approach was greatly influenced by her father: “From a young age, I was always very intellectually curious. I think my father always made me think and ask questions. I got my logical side from him and my life side from my mum,» she told BBC Radio 4. «So I think maybe I shape and shape the way I train differently or the way I train. how I approach certain decisions. And I think that gives me an advantage because I'm not necessarily the biggest hitter or the strongest or the fastest runner. But I think I can use my brain in a way that gives me an advantage.”
Raducanu's injury-plagued season meant she was only able to play 10 matches this year before leaving the court in April. She underwent three procedures on both wrists and her ankle in May and spent the summer in rehab in preparation for her return to the court. As a result, she has plummeted in the rankings to No. 280 in the world.
But Raducanu spoke optimistically about her plans to return to the tour at the start of next season and said she was looking forward to the challenge of being a lower-ranked player. rating.
She estimates she has «15 years» left in her career and for that reason she is in no «rush» to represent Great Britain at the Paris Olympics next summer.
She admitted she didn't even know it. she still had a chance to qualify as players are required to play a certain number of matches for their country in the Billie Jean King Cup team competition to meet Olympic criteria. But exceptions have been made for players who have suffered long-term injuries, so Raducanu may still have the chance to compete in his first Games next summer.
“I didn’t even know I could still play. » she said. «I thought, oh, there's no way I can play in the Olympics. I had no idea. Obviously the Olympics are a big event in sports. I think I could have played four more if really wanted to. So for me it's not a rush or pressure, I think it's just getting back on the court. I love the Grand Slams, but of course I would like to get the Olympic experience. We'll see how it goes, if I even qualify «.
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