Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, is entering the 2025 season with renewed focus and a fresh coaching dynamic, as she prepares to compete in the upcoming US Open. The 22-year-old British tennis star recently shared an update on her coaching situation, revealing a promising new collaboration that she believes will propel her back to the top of the game. Alongside this personal milestone, Raducanu has voiced strong support for the revamped mixed doubles format introduced at the US Open, praising its ability to draw big names and electrify crowds.
Raducanu’s coaching journey has been a rollercoaster since her meteoric rise to fame. After parting ways with multiple coaches in recent years, she has now teamed up with Nick Cavaday, a familiar figure from her junior days who briefly worked with her in 2024. “I’m really excited to be back with Nick,” Raducanu shared, her enthusiasm palpable. “We go way back to my early years, and there’s a comfort and trust there that feels right for where I’m at now.” This reunion marks a full-time commitment, with Cavaday set to guide her through the challenges of the professional circuit, starting with the US Open. Raducanu emphasized the importance of stability, noting that their shared history allows for a seamless partnership as she aims to refine her game and climb the rankings.
The decision to reconnect with Cavaday comes after a period of experimentation, including a stint with Andy Murray’s former coach, Jane O’Donoghue, during the grass court season. Raducanu’s openness about her coaching choices reflects her maturity and willingness to adapt. “I’ve learned so much from each coach I’ve worked with,” she said. “But having someone who knows me so well, like Nick, gives us a head start.” This strategic move is seen as a pivotal step for Raducanu, who has faced injury setbacks and inconsistent form since her breakthrough Grand Slam victory. Fans and analysts alike are optimistic that Cavaday’s steady hand will help her harness her undeniable talent.
Beyond her personal preparations, Raducanu has thrown her support behind the US Open’s innovative mixed doubles format, which underwent a dramatic overhaul in 2025 to attract top singles players. The new structure, featuring a 16-team field with eight teams qualifying based on combined singles rankings and the rest via wild cards, condensed the event into a high-energy, two-day spectacle. Played under a closed roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the tournament drew sellout crowds, with 78,000 fans packing the stands over its duration. Raducanu, who partnered with Carlos Alcaraz in a first-round match against Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula, described the experience as unforgettable. “The energy in Ashe was unreal,” she enthused. “Playing mixed doubles with such a big crowd feels like a proper celebration of tennis.”
The format, which included shorter sets and a match tiebreaker in earlier rounds, culminated in a traditional six-game set final, won by doubles specialists Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori over Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud. Despite initial skepticism from some players, including the Italian champions, the event’s success was undeniable. Raducanu advocated for its adoption at other Grand Slams, particularly Wimbledon, where she believes it could elevate the mixed doubles discipline. “Anytime you get a full crowd like this, you think, how can we keep this going?” she remarked, echoing the sentiments of players like Jessica Pegula, who called the atmosphere “arguably more crazy” than a singles match.
Raducanu’s participation in the mixed doubles event, though brief, highlighted her versatility and willingness to embrace new challenges. Her endorsement carries weight, given her status as a former Grand Slam champion and a fan favorite. She sees the format as a way to showcase tennis’s biggest stars while making the sport more accessible. “It’s been really cool for us players to try doubles,” she noted, aligning with Casper Ruud’s praise for the tournament’s bold approach.
As Raducanu gears up for the US Open singles draw, her renewed coaching partnership and her advocacy for the mixed doubles format signal a player who is both grounded and forward-thinking. With Cavaday by her side, she aims to recapture the form that stunned the world in 2021, while her support for innovative changes in tennis reflects a broader vision for the sport’s growth. The Flushing Meadows crowds will be watching closely, eager to see if this new chapter marks the beginning of another fairy-tale run for Britain’s brightest tennis star.
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