Raducanu’s Miami Surge Highlights Need for Stability in Coaching Setup Emma Raducanu is showing flashes of the brilliance that saw her stun the tennis world in 2021. The British star, who famously won 10 consecutive matches in straight sets to claim the US Open title as a qualifier, had struggled to string together a similar winning run since. However, her recent performance at the Miami Open, where she reached the quarter-finals, signals an encouraging return to form. Although her run was halted by world number four Jessica Pegula, Raducanu’s progress in Miami has propelled her back into the WTA top 50 for the first time since September 2022. This resurgence comes despite an ever-changing coaching team and a turbulent start to the season—raising the question of what kind of stability and support she needs to sustain this level of performance. A Year of Challenges and Constant Change Raducanu’s journey this season has been anything but smooth. After making a promising start at the Australian Open with two impressive wins over higher-ranked opponents, she suffered a heavy defeat to world number one Iga Świątek in January. Soon after, her coach Nick Cavaday was forced to step down due to health issues, leaving her without a permanent coach. February brought further disruption. During her campaign in the Middle East, an unsettling incident saw a man who had been persistently following her around tournaments escorted out of her second-round match and later issued a restraining order. This period left Raducanu seemingly rudderless, but not entirely without support. A Revolving Door of Coaches One of the most notable aspects of Raducanu’s career has been the frequent changes in her coaching setup. Since December, she has been working consistently with her strength and conditioning coach Yutaka Nakamura, but her tennis coaching team has been far less stable. -Roman Kelecic, a coach from her teenage years, was brought in to assist in Abu Dhabi. - Jane O’Donoghue, a former LTA coach and long-time friend, supported her during tournaments in Doha and Dubai. - Tom Welsh, from Loughborough Academy, was briefly drafted in for Indian Wells. - Vladimir Platenik arrived in California for a trial period, but this arrangement was abruptly ended just before Raducanu’s Miami campaign. - In Miami, O’Donoghue returned, joined by coach and commentator Mark Petchey. This constant turnover of coaches has raised questions about the long-term vision for Raducanu’s development. While she has proven she can succeed amid change, sustaining elite-level consistency without a dedicated, long-term coaching structure is a major challenge. What’s Next for Raducanu? Raducanu’s success in Miami has rekindled hopes of a steady climb back up the rankings, but if she is to truly re-establish herself among the game’s elite, she may need to find a lasting coaching arrangement. Her performances showed greater tactical discipline, improved shot selection, and a renewed sense of freedom—indicating that she is learning to adapt and trust her instincts on court. However, without a settled coaching team, maintaining this upward trajectory may prove difficult. As she moves into the next phase of the season, the big question remains: Can Raducanu build on this momentum, or will the lack of stability in her camp continue to hold her back?