Emma Raducanu, the 22-year-old British tennis sensation who stormed to the 2021 US Open title, is once again in the spotlight, not just for her forehand but for her fierce response to relentless criticism about her coaching changes. As she prepares for the 2025 US Open, where she’s paired with Carlos Alcaraz in a high-profile mixed doubles event, Raducanu has adopted a regal approach to deflecting detractors, vowing to “do what the royal family would do” by taking the high road and refusing to engage in petty disputes. Her witty retort, delivered with a chuckle, underscores a newfound maturity as she navigates the pressures of fame and a demanding comeback season.
Since her historic Flushing Meadows victory at 18, Raducanu has faced a barrage of scrutiny, particularly over her frequent coaching switches. After parting ways with Andrew Richardson post-US Open, she has worked with a series of mentors, including Nigel Sears, Torben Beltz, Nick Cavaday, Vlado Platenik, and Mark Petchey, with Rafael Nadal’s former coach Francisco Roig now joining her team. Critics have labeled her approach erratic, with some social media trolls mockingly claiming she’s on her “ninth coach.” Raducanu, however, dismisses the hyperbole with characteristic poise. “I would say, when you see things and you’re like, ‘Oh, Emma on her ninth coach’ or something, I’m like, ‘Guys, come on,’” she said, laughing off the exaggeration. “Certain ones don’t count. If you’ve had a trial, you don’t have to carry on after the trial. A few have been trials, a few have been other situations.”
Her lighthearted reference to the royal family’s stoic approach to controversy reflects a deeper connection to the monarchy. In 2022, King Charles III, then presenting her with an MBE for her US Open triumph, playfully teased her about her coaching carousel, asking if she “had found a coach yet?” Raducanu, who framed a congratulatory letter from Queen Elizabeth II after her 2021 win, clearly draws inspiration from the royals’ dignified restraint. “I just try and take the high road,” she added, signaling her intent to rise above the noise. This approach aligns with her multicultural upbringing—born in Toronto to a Romanian father, Ian, and Chinese mother, Renee, and raised in Bromley, England—where resilience and aspiration were instilled early. “My mum’s side of the family, when I go over to China, they are so mentally resilient,” she once noted, crediting her heritage for her tenacity.
Raducanu’s 2025 season has been a tale of comeback and grit. After surgeries on both wrists and an ankle in 2023, her ranking plummeted to 289, but she’s clawed her way back to No. 35, with standout performances like a third-round upset over Maria Sakkari at Wimbledon and a marathon Cincinnati Open battle against Aryna Sabalenka. “I know I’m a dangerous player,” she declared at the Billie Jean King Cup, where she won all three singles matches to propel Great Britain to the semi-finals. “I take pride in that, and I’m looking forward to hopefully staying on court longer next year.” Her recent hire of fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura, praised for his work with Naomi Osaka, has already shown results, with Raducanu noting, “My athleticism is a big strength that I have nowhere near fulfilled. I think I can become one of the best athletes in tennis.”
Yet, her journey hasn’t been without setbacks. A stalking incident in Dubai earlier this year left her shaken, forcing her to abandon solo walks and rely on enhanced security. “After the Dubai incident, that was probably the worst [public attention] I’ve had,” she shared, highlighting the emotional toll. Social media has been equally unforgiving, with one account cruelly mocking her as a “clown” and racking up thousands of posts targeting her performance and personal life. Former British star Naomi Broady has defended her, arguing, “People who say Emma got lucky when she won the US Open don’t understand tennis. You can’t come through qualifying, win seven matches without dropping a set and win a Grand Slam by luck.” Raducanu’s agent, Max Eisenbud, while disagreeing with her frequent coaching changes, believes in her potential, stating, “She really is a hard worker. I believe she’ll win more slams.”
As Raducanu eyes a seeded spot at the US Open, her partnership with Alcaraz adds intrigue, though she’s quick to clarify their bond is platonic: “We’re just good friends.” With Sabalenka praising her improvement—“She’s getting back to her best”—and a tailored training regimen under Roig and Nakamura, Raducanu is poised to prove her critics wrong. Her regal resolve, inspired by the monarchy’s grace under pressure, signals a player ready to reclaim her place among tennis’ elite, one match at a time.
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