Emma Raducanu Adopts Strategic Patience in Coaching Search
British tennis sensation Emma Raducanu has confirmed she will not be rushing to appoint a new permanent coach as she prepares for crucial tournaments in the United States next month. The world-ranked British number one will compete at both the prestigious Indian Wells event and the Miami Open in March without a full-time replacement for Francisco Roig, with whom she parted ways following her second-round exit at the Australian Open in January.
Working with Familiar Face Alexis Canter
Raducanu has instead chosen to continue her collaboration with former British professional Alexis Canter, who guided her to the final of the Transylvania Open last month. "Right now I have Alexis in my corner," Raducanu stated during an interview in Tokyo. "He knows me as a person. He knows me as a player. And I've actually had some success with him in the past year in Washington and Cluj."
The 23-year-old athlete emphasized the importance of this working relationship, noting Canter's understanding of her game and personality. She revealed plans to focus on fundamental drills and develop a more aggressive playing style as she builds toward the American tournaments.
Brand Ambassador Announcement in Tokyo
Raducanu made these revelations while in Japan's capital, where she was officially unveiled as a global brand ambassador for Japanese clothing retailer Uniqlo. This announcement marks the end of her association with Nike and represents a significant commercial move for the tennis star.
Regarding her coaching situation, Raducanu explained: "Right now I wouldn't say I'm actively looking for a coach. I think I had a great experience with Francis in terms of how we got on so well ... the rapport was great. I think in the end, we just weren't aligning on certain key aspects. But we still maintain a really good relationship."
Overcoming Health Challenges and Setbacks
The British player has faced numerous challenges since her stunning US Open victory in 2021, including injuries and illness that have disrupted her tournament schedule. Most recently, she contracted what she described as a virus during the Transylvania Open that affected her performance in subsequent Middle Eastern tournaments.
"In Cluj, I picked up like a virus, I think, at the start of the tournament," Raducanu explained. "So I was dealing with that and the after-effects ... I had really long effects for the last three weeks. I've been trying to clear them. So the Middle East trip was very difficult for me."
She is now focusing on recovery ahead of the American tournaments, stating: "I'm getting ready for Indian Wells and just trying to get back to full health. And I still have a bit of time, so I'm just looking forward to doing my best to be ready for that."
Looking Ahead to Wimbledon and Beyond
While several months remain before Wimbledon, Raducanu expressed particular excitement about returning to compete on home soil this summer. "That month of the year on the grass is something really special that we all look forward to as Brits," she said, recalling her memorable Wimbledon debut in 2021 when she reached the fourth round as a wildcard ranked 338th in the world.
"[Wimbledon] was my first big tournament, my first big win, my first big match. And it holds a special place," Raducanu reflected. "And I feel like the British public have really seen so many different kind of steps I've taken as I've been growing up ... my evolution."
Addressing Online Abuse and Building Resilience
The tennis star also spoke candidly about the online abuse that athletes frequently face, acknowledging that such criticism comes with public visibility. "For me, I've accepted that it's going to keep happening," she said. "Whatever everyone tries to do about it, it seems like there are just too many people ... that there's no real way to stop it."
Raducanu emphasized the importance of resilience learned through her sporting experiences: "Sport is a great vehicle in terms of teaching you life lessons. I believe resilience is the biggest lesson that I can take away from this."
She added a personal philosophy that guides her through challenging moments: "Just doing your best each day, and striving to be the best version of yourself is my goal. But I think just knowing that whatever challenge comes my way, I can keep falling down seven times, but I'm going to get up eight times. That's something that I keep with me."
As Raducanu prepares for her American tournaments without a permanent coach, her approach reflects a calculated strategy focused on health, fundamental improvement, and working with trusted collaborators like Alexis Canter. Her partnership with Uniqlo marks a new chapter in her professional career as she seeks to build momentum ahead of the grass court season and beyond.
