Emma Raducanu hires interim coach ahead of Indian Wells return, offered additional security
Emma Raducanu has received a boost, gaining an ‘interim’ coach ahead of the Indian Wells tournament – where she may receive additional security.
The Brit amicably split ways with coach Nick Cavaday after the 2025 Australian Open, due to Cavaday’s health problems.
Now, it has been revealed that she has added Tom Welsh, a LTA Academy coach, to her team – alongside Jane O’Donoghue and Roman Kelecic, whom she has been working with since the split.
The addition will only be temporary, as she continues to search for a long-term coach.
Raducanu has made clear that she is in no rush to select such a team member: “I think that’s why I haven’t necessarily jumped into something straight away, because I want to make sure it’s a right fit.
“And I think this period where I don’t necessarily have someone is going to tell me a lot. It’s going to teach me a lot, what I want, what I don’t want to look for in the next person.
“So, I think I’m using this time period to just figure out what I really value. I’m not too sure yet right now. I haven’t come to any plans or decisions. So yeah, I’m just taking it, using the next couple weeks to see how I feel, and then make a decision.”
In a statement, Cavaday – her former long-time coach – said, upon his departure: “It’s important for me to spend some more time at home and prioritise getting back to full health, which is hard to do with the extensive calendar. I am glad Emma is back to being established on tour now with a ranking inside the top 60, and I look forward to seeing what she does from here.”
It has also been widely-reported that Raducanu has been offered five additional security guards to protect her, during her stay at Indian Wells.
The offer comes in light of a terrifying ordeal at the WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai, where the 2021 US Open champion became alarmed at a man displaying ‘fixated behaviour’ towards her during a match against Karolina Muchova.
The individual was removed from the match, subsequently accepted a restraining order, and is banned from all future tournaments.
“We have taken swift action to address an incident involving British tennis star Emma Raducanu, in accordance with local legal protocols,” Dubai authorities stated.
“While Raducanu later chose to drop the charges, the individual signed a formal undertaking to maintain distance from her and has been banned from future tournaments.”
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The WTA also released a statement after the episode: “On Monday, Emma Raducanu was approached in a public area by a man who exhibited fixated behaviour.
“This same individual was identified in the first few rows during Emma’s match on Tuesday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and subsequently ejected. He will be banned from all WTA events pending a threat assessment.
“The WTA is actively working with Emma and her team to ensure her well-being and provide any necessary support.”
Before the incident, Raducanu had ended a four-match losing streak after beating Maria Sakkari in his opening-round match in Dubai.
The Indian Wells tournament will take place from March 5th – March 16th.
