Emma Raducanu resumes trial with Dmitry Tursunov: ‘We need to see how we compliment each other’
It remains too early to tell if Emma Raducanu will continue her partnership with Dmitry Tursunov on a long-term basis with the US Open saying they still have to see if they complement each other.
Raducanu raised a few eyebrows when she announced in July that she had started working with former top 20 player Tursunov ahead of the North American hard-court swing.
The agreement was on a short-term basis with the Russian initially only working with her during the Citi Open as he couldn’t join her at the Canadian Open last week due to pre-existing plans.
However, he will be back in her coaching box at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati this week on an experimental basis.
“He’s here, we’re continuing the trial,” the British No 1 said. “It’s mainly, we just need to see how we work with each other, how we complement each other. That’s it, I guess. It’s too early to tell.”
Emma Raducanu has another new coach as John McEnroe gives his verdict
Tursunov is Raducanu’s fourth coach since she made her breakthrough at top level at Wimbledon last year. Nigel Sears was her mentor when she reached the fourth round at SW19 before she appointed Andrew Richardson, who was in charge when she became the first qualifier to win the US Open.
Her agreement with Richardson was short-term and she then turned to Torben Beltz in November, but split with the German in April and worked with coaches from the LTA on an interim basis.
Tursunov, meanwhile, previously coached Anett Kontaveit and under his tutelge the Estonian climbed into the top 10 of the WTA Rankings and also finished runner-up at the 2021 WTA Finals, but they went their separate ways in June after the Russian struggled to fly to certain tournaments due to visa difficulties.
Tursunov’s first assignment in Cincinnati will be to help Raducanu to get past Serena Williams in a mouthwatering first round of the WTA 1000 clash on Tuesday.
It will be the first time that the British teenager faces 23-time Grand Slam winner Williams, who announced last week that she is retiring after the US Open.
Serena Williams vs Emma Raducanu: What time is the big match and where to watch it…
Raducanu has struggled for form this year as she is yet to win more than two consecutive matches. She lost in the first-round of the Canadian Open last week and made a quarter-final exit from the Citi Open a fortnight ago.
“To have success at a young age, obviously you have to be really grateful because I’m doing what I love, but also I’ve reached success way earlier than I ever really would have thought I did,” Raducanu said. “So I’m pretty proud of myself in that way.
“But it has been a tough year. I’ve definitely gone through and experienced a lot of challenges. To be fair, I’ve learned a lot from all of it.”
The 19-year-old is hoping for a confidence-boosting run in Cincinnati ahead of her title defence at the US Open. Raducanu is in danger of slipping down the rankings as she has 2,000 points to defend at the Flushing Meadows.
Latest
-
Tennis News
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer compared to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi by legendary coach
“Rafa can do the same thing that Federer does, while Cristiano cannot do what Messi does.”
-
Tennis News
Martina Navratilova makes Novak Djokovic ‘doubt’ claim as she highlights age factor
“What happens when you get older is the bad days are worse. You have to have it (doubt) no matter what.”
-
WTA Tour
WTA Rankings: Dominant Iga Swiatek practically assured of big feat ahead of Roland Garros
This way for your post-Indian Wells WTA Rankings.
-
Tennis News
Andy Murray makes retirement uncertainty confession as he also opens up about one of his toughest losses
“I would want to be there by right,” says Andy Murray.
-
ATP Tour
ATP Rankings: Novak Djokovic 7.997 years at No 1, Carlos Alcaraz holds off Jannik Sinner, Luca Nardi +27
This way for your latest ATP Rankings.
-
Tennis Videos
WATCH: Carlos Alcaraz on THAT point against Daniil Medvedev – ‘Something happened to my feet’
“Points like this one give me extra motivation to put a smile on my face.”
-
WTA Tour
‘Pretty proud’ Iga Swiatek opens up about ‘being the target of many players’
“It was pretty crazy. I’m pretty proud of the way I adapted to all these challenges that I had to face.”
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz makes brutally honest injury confession after sparkling Indian Wells win
Carlos Alcaraz opened up on the problem after he got his hands on the Indian Wells title once again.
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz eyeing up Novak Djokovic’s world No 1 spot after stunning Indian Wells win
Alcaraz may have to be patient for his chance to become world No 1 once again.
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu gets kind Miami Open draw as Simona Halep lands blockbuster
Emma Raducanu could be set for a big rankings leap if she can find some wins over the next few months.