Emma Raducanu has disclosed that her coach, Nick Cavaday, has already implemented some adjustments and modifications to her playing style.
Following her split with five different coaches within a span of two years, Raducanu made a rather intriguing decision to hire her childhood coach, Cavaday, for the 2024 season. While Cavaday may not be a well-known figure in the coaching realm of professional tennis, he possesses an intimate understanding of Raducanu and her game.
After her early exit from the Australian Open, Raducanu returned to London and took a two-day break before resuming practice on the court. Over the next two weeks, Raducanu diligently worked alongside coach Cavaday, striving to enhance her skills while also incorporating new elements into her game.
During the recent Abu Dhabi Open, Raducanu made her comeback and secured a victory against Marie Bouzkova with a score of 6-4 6-1, only to be defeated by Ons Jabeur in her subsequent match.
“I made certain adjustments after Australia, just before Abu Dhabi,” Raducanu revealed ahead of her first match in this week’s WTA 1000 event in Doha.
“Witnessing those changes during the first round match was truly encouraging. We put in a lot of effort, and seeing it all come together was a great source of motivation. I’m gradually making progress.
“You learn something, and then you unlearn it. With time, you acquire even more knowledge.”
After undergoing surgeries on both wrists and her right ankle in May, Raducanu openly acknowledges that one of her primary objectives for this season is to remain injury-free. Additionally, the former world No. 10 aspires to achieve greater consistency compared to previous seasons.
“Maintaining good health is the top priority for this year, both in terms of injuries and illnesses. Consistency is another goal,” Raducanu stated.
On Saturday, it was announced that Raducanu had received a wildcard entry into the main draw of the Doha tournament.
In her first match in Doha, Raducanu will face off against Anhelina Kalinina, who emerged victorious in their sole meeting during the 2022 Madrid tournament. However, it is worth noting that the previous encounter took place on clay, which happens to be Raducanu’s least favorable surface.
With a 1-4 record in early 2024, Kalinina’s recent performance suggests that Raducanu will likely view this matchup against the Ukrainian as an advantageous opportunity.
According to the Source tennisworldusa.org