Emma Raducanu has swiftly ended her brief stint with new coach Vlado Platenik. The Slovakian had begun a short trial period with the former US Open champion, but will not be continuing on a long-term basis. Platenik was spotted coaching Raducanu during her Indian Wells campaign, which concluded with a first-round defeat to Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima. However, he was noticeably absent when Raducanu bounced back at the Miami Open, securing a straight-sets victory over Sayaka Ishii in the opening round.
The 49-year-old coach is the seventh to have worked with Raducanu throughout her career. She has previously been coached by Nigel Sears, Andrew Richardson, Torben Beltz, Dmitry Tursonov, Sebastian Sachs and Nick Cavaday, among others who have supported her on a part-time basis or for individual tournaments. Nick Cavaday, Raducanu’s childhood coach, guided her back into the world’s top 100 in 2024 following a series of injuries. However, due to health issues, he had to step down at the end of January. As per PA Sport, Raducanu felt her partnership with Platenik wasn’t progressing as she’d hoped. There’s no set timeline for her search for a new coach, whether it’s on a part-time or full-time basis.
Raducanu made quick work of Japanese youngster Ishii in the first round in Miami. Despite having to withdraw from the tournament in 2024 due to a lower back problem, she’s off to a strong start this year.
Following her hard-won victory, the 22-year-old British player expressed her pride and satisfaction in an interview with Sky Sports. “I’m very pleased to have got through that, it’s not easy to play someone in the first round who’s younger, dangerous and in good form.
“I’m really proud of how I competed today, it hasn’t been easy for me coming into this but I think I put out a really good performance.”
Raducanu faces her next opponent, eighth-seed American Emma Navarro. She added that the match “will be extremely challenging.
“I think it will be a match where she’s probably in better form, so I think I can go out and try and express myself and compete for every point.
“She’s a great person. I think on the tour she’s someone I warm to and would like to say ‘hello’ to, so it will be a double Emma whenever we play.”
Meanwhile, Katie Boulter and Billy Harris were both defeated in the first round of the women’s and men’s draws, respectively. Jacob Fearnley has an upcoming match against Benjamin Bonzi on Thursday, while Jack Draper earned a bye to the second round.
This article first appeared on The Mirror.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk