Australian Open Closes, Raducanu Still Looking For New Coach

Emma Raducanu (Twitter @@ EmmaRaducanu)

JAKARTA - US Open champion Emma Raducanu says she is optimistic she can find a new coach before the Australian Open starts in January. He will rely on his own instincts at the Transylvania Open in Romania next week.

Raducanu, who shocked the sporting world when he won the title at Flushing Meadows in September as a qualifying player, announced after the Grand Slams that he would no longer be working with former Davis Cup player Andrew Richardson.

nothing beats this. #work pic.twitter.com/BOSfgcJPks

— Emma Raducanu (@EmmaRaducanu) September 29, 2021

The 18-year-old confirmed reports of him undergoing trials last week with a number of coaches, among them Johanna Konta's former coach, Esteban Carril, as he is still looking for a new coach to guide during the next phase of his career.

Raducanu has traveled to Cluj-Napoca with physiotherapist Will Herbert, agent Chris Helliar and his father Ian, who is Romanian.

"I'm optimistic trying to put something in place for the holiday season and the Australian Open. No, I haven't decided on a coach yet. But things are moving forward," said Raducanu, quoted by Reuters on Monday.

"I think having a coach is a great thing, but you are alone on the pitch. I don't think being dependent is good. You need to train yourself. That's something I learned."

"Part of the experience I've had is being able to learn to train myself. Sometimes it doesn't always work, like at Indian Wells, but in the long term if I keep doing that then I'll be better off in future situations."

The Transylvania Open starts Monday and will be held without spectators due to the COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the Romanian government.