Emma Raducanu has revealed new coach Nick Cavaday has already made key improvements to her game as she prepares to play in the WTA 1000 event in Doha.
Raducanu will play Anhelina Kalinina in the first round of the Qatar Open after receiving a wild card.
The former US Open champion said she hoped to participate in Doha after falling to Ons Jabeur in the second round of the WTA Tour event in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
Her ambition has come true, as the 21-year-old will begin her campaign early next week against 32nd-ranked Ukrainian Kalinina. Since returning from an eight-month layoff, she has won three of her six matches.
On the Madrid clay courts in 2022, they had previously faced off, with Kalinina emerging victorious in a tight match after three sets.
The eighth seed and fierce striker Jelena Ostapenko, who has already won two titles this season, will face the winner of the match.
During her debut appearance on the recently launched Sky Sports Tennis channel, the 2021 US Open winner shared insights into her progress under her new coach.
According to Raducanu, “new things are implemented when you start working with a new coach.”
“You should allow enough time for it, but there isn’t any on the tour.
“I returned to London immediately after my time in Australia, rested for two days, and started training again.”
That’s one area in which I’ve improved. If I lose a tournament, I usually take four or five days off because I’m too unhappy or because I have a niggle. However, this is not necessary. It’s simply going back to it.
“Just keeping up the work, little by little, I’m getting better.”
After winning the US Open in 2021, Raducanu has faced criticism for repeatedly switching up her coaching staff. Her most recent employment is a person from her junior years.
Raducanu and Cavaday collaborated while she advanced through the tennis ranks, and she appears at ease with the guidance he is providing.
Raducanu went on, “I made some tweaks after Australia, right before Abu Dhabi,” thinking back on a week in the UAE where she had defeated world No. 28 Marie Bouzkova before falling to Ons Jabeur, a two-time Wimbledon finalist.
It was great to see them in the first round match. Seeing everything come together after all of our hard work gave me a lot of encouragement. I am making progress.
After learning something, you unlearn it. It teaches you more with time.
Raducanu is obviously eager to escape the injury nightmares that kept her out of action for the majority of last year when asked what her goals are for 2024.
“Our main objective for this year is to stay healthy,” she continued. “Sickness wise, injury wise.” A further objective is just consistency.
Tim Henman, the former world no. 1 for Great Britain, offered his assessment of Raducanu’s chances this season and predicted that the world no. 296 would succeed.
The prospect of Raducanu returning to the court in 2024 has been incredibly thrilling. Henman told Sky Sports, “She’s only played in two tournaments, but I’ve been really impressed with her.”
It would be a tremendous plus for her, regardless of the outcome, if she could participate in numerous matches and tournaments without suffering from ailments that hinder her progress. Her tennis game is really strong. The outcomes are inevitable.
