'You need to really buy in and stick with it' - Martina Navratilova urges Emma Raducanu to commit to one coach ahead of the US Open

Tennis star Emma Raducanu has a reputation of cycling through coaches, however WTA icon Martina Navratilova would like to see the British player stick to one mentor as the road to the US Open kicks off.

Raducanu burst into the limelight at the 2021 US Open, where she enjoyed a fairytale run to the title after entering the Grand Slam event as a qualifier. Subsequently, Raducanu would part ways with her then-coach Andrew Richardson soon after lifting the title.

The former World No.10 has since employed multiple coaches during her short stint on the WTA Tour. She would work with Torbin Beltz between November 2021 and April 2022, who was then briefly replaced by former Russian player Dimitri Tursunov.

Following her collaboration with the ex-ATP pro, Raducanu would hire Sebastian Sachs for the first half of the 2023. The British star would then reunite with Nick Cavaday, who coached Raducanu during her years as a junior.

Developing chemistry with a coach takes time, says Navratilova

Raducanu would part ways with Cavaday at the start of the 2025 season, with the latter citing health reasons. During the grass court season, Raducanu would begin a trial run with LTA coach Mark Petchey, who revealed his TV commitments mean he cannot take a full-time role to coach Raducanu.

Nonetheless, the former US Open champion has seen much improvement under Petchey's guidance. Raducanu reached the third round of Wimbledon, and would subsequently embark on an inspired semifinal run at the DC Open. Navratilova believes Raducanu's improved play is reflective of her good relationship with Petchey.

"Commit to a year, if you like the person, if you know them and what they can bring to your game, then you need to really buy in and stick with it and make sure you're doing your part as far as training, fitness, eating all of that," said Navratilova in an interview with Sky Sports News. "She's got the talent and she did play better tennis against Sabalenka. She's going in the right direction now.
"She needs to stick with somebody longer because when you work with somebody, it takes a while for them to incorporate into their game and then get the results.
"When you start a new training regime, you don't immediately go faster or get stronger. I just think she needs to really take charge of her life, make sure that she's the one that's making all the decisions for herself, and then stick with somebody."

After her splendid run in DC, Raducanu is currently competing at the Canadian Open, as the road to the US Open heats up.