Emma Raducanu has emphasised the importance of “coaching yourself” as the search for a coach continues going into the Australian summer.
The 18-year-old rallied to beat Polona Hercog of Slovenia 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 at the Transylvania Open without a coach by her side, for her first win since her stunning run at Flushing Meadows more than a month ago.
READ MORE: South Africa superstar withdraws from World Cup game after directive to ‘take a knee’
READ MORE: NFL coach’s scathing response to ‘joke’ question
READ MORE: Melbourne Cup order of entry: How it works, and who will make the final field
Less than two weeks after the history-making Grand Slam victory, she split from her coach, Andrew Richardson, in a move that raised eyebrows within tennis circles.
The decision blindsided Richardson, who coached the teenage star for two years at youth level and then linked up with her again on a short-term deal for the United States.
Since splitting with Richardson, the British teenager has struggled to ink a deal with a coach that suits her needs.
Raducanu opted for a stop-gap measure in employing fellow Brit Katie Boulter’s coach Jeremy Bates for Indian Wells, resulting in a first round defeat.
She decided to go into the Transylvania Open, in her father’s native Romania, without a coach but will link up with Spaniard Esteban Carril after the tournament.
That would make it four coaches in four months for the world No.23 after the 18-year-old parted ways with coach Nigel Sears following her breakthrough Wimbledon run to the last 16 earlier this year.
“I am feeling optimistic about trying to have something in place for the off-season and the Australian Open. No, I haven’t decided on the coach. But things are moving forward,” Raducanu told reporters.
“I think having a coach is great, but you are on your own on the court. I don’t think it is great to be dependent. You need to coach yourself. That is something I am learning.
“Part of the experience I am having is being able to learn to coach myself.
“Sometimes it won’t always work, like in Indian Wells, but in the long-term if I keep doing that then I will be better in the situations in the future.”
Linking up with Carril has been described as a positive move by former British player Greg Rusedksi, who said a stable coaching situation will allow the star to continue to improve.
“Esteban (Carril) did a great job with Jo Konta when she had her big breakthrough and got into the top 10 in the world,” he said.
“Hopefully this works out for Emma. But she needs consistency from a team point of view to push on with all the success she has had at the US Open.”
In her win over Hercog, the 23rd-ranked Briton lost five straight games from 4-1 up in the opening set against the Slovenian but eased to victory after breaking her 124th-ranked opponent at 6-5 in the second to claim her first win on the WTA Tour.
with AP
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!