'Not A Great Choice': Raducanu's Coaching Changes Questioned By Hingis

Emma Raducanu 's unpopular coaching changes were recently discussed by former World No. 1 on the WTA Tour, Martina Hingis.

A champion's journey is a delicate dance of skill, talent, and mental strength, all of which must harmonize to achieve and maintain success. And yet, it's not just about the player. The influence of a great coach can propel a player to new heights, and their absence can cause a cascade of unforeseen consequences.

A case in point is Emma Raducanu, whose recent coaching changes have drawn the critical eye of many . Raducanu has struggled to replicate her meteoric rise after winning the 2021 US Open, which was followed by an unpopular coaching split with Andrew Richardson .

Since that pivotal decision, Raducanu has cycled through multiple coaches in quick succession, a rapid rate of change that has left her without a consistent guiding hand for extended periods. Most recently, the Brit split with coach Sebastian Sachs .

Martina Hingis, a five-time major champion and the youngest Grand Slam champion at 16, understands the pressures of emerging as a teen prodigy on the international stage. She believes that Raducanu's decision to rearrange her coaching staff was not the most strategic move. This belief is not without merit, given that Raducanu's subsequent results have been far from consistent.

"You know, if you have the right surroundings I think that’s also really important. I mean I never met [Raducanu]. It was incredible she was able to win the US Open and all of the changes after that maybe, who knows? I don’t think it was the great choice to do."

The turbulent aftermath of her US Open victory has been characterised by physical fitness struggles, surgeries, and enforced breaks from the tour. Most recently, Raducanu underwent three separate surgeries , and while she's still away, Hingis thinks she's got 'the whole package' to come back.

"I mean, when you win with someone you usually continue the path but I can’t judge what happened. But it will be nice to find her success again. I mean, she’s got the shots, she’s the whole package."

"But you still need the results, it’s not like one day you win the US Open and that’s the rest of the life. There’s so many girls out there who can play well, who are hungry. I hope the best for her but it won’t be easy."