July 25, (THEWILL) – Emma Raducanu, the 20-year-old tennis sensation, has garnered attention not only for her on-court performances but also for her frequent coach changes.
Having worked with five coaches in the past two years, Raducanu’s agent, Max Eisenbud of IMG, has come forward to defend her unconventional approach to coaching. Eisenbud explained: “It’s probably going to be like that for the rest of her career. That’s what’s comfortable for them… All the way up through the juniors, they never had coaches a long time, so, for them, that’s calm waters – having a coach for four to five months and then going on to someone else.”
Raducanu’s coaching journey has been marked by quick turnover, with notable names like Andrew Richardson, Torben Beltz, and most recently, Sebastian Sachs, being part of her coaching team at different points as THEWILL has reported. The quick succession of coaches, however, has not deterred her agent from supporting her choices. Eisenbud highlighted the scarcity of top-tier coaches willing to commit to extensive travel, which leads to a small pool of available options, often resulting in coaches being “recycled and recycled.”
“While you may see a revolving door of coaches, it’s essential to understand the context,” Eisenbud added. “We are not sitting in a sport that has a plethora of great coaches – maybe eight, nine or 10 great coaches. Most of the great, great coaches don’t want to travel for 35 or 40 weeks a year and leave their families, so you have a small pool that is willing to travel and charge very little money. So, they keep getting recycled and recycled. That is why you see coaches hopping around.”
Ranked at number 131 in the world, Raducanu has undoubtedly made a significant impact in the tennis world, capturing the attention of fans and professionals alike. While her coaching methodology may raise eyebrows, her talent and dedication remain undeniable, leaving many eager to see her future accomplishments on the court.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
