Tim Henman doesn’t necessarily agree that the coaching situation is Emma Raducanu’s biggest concern as the British tennis legend thinks at this point and time it is more important for the 22-year-old to stay healthy on a long-term basis and physically get stronger.
When it was announced that the 2021 US Open champion ended her trial period with coach Vladimir Platenik just before Miami, some instantly used that as an argument that the world No. 48 was returning to her old ways.
But then, Raducanu went on to enjoy her career-best run at the WTA 1000 level and make her first quarterfinal in that category. Thanks to her quarterfinal run in South Beach, she also returned to the top-50 for the first time since 2022 September.
Henman: Building physical resilience is the most important thing for Raducanu right now
“She does it differently. She changes coaches. That isn’t necessarily what everyone else likes to do, but she is comfortable changing that up,” the former six-time Grand Slam semifinalist told Sky Sports Tennis.
“For me, building physical resilience is most important because she has almost had her career back to front. Qualifying and winning that Slam without the foundation physically and her body was breaking down when she was in competition. The big positive this year is she has been able to compete more consistently and hopefully the results are going to come.”
“She’s almost had her career back to front” 🔙
Tim Henman on what’s next for Emma Raducanu 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/rBAqa44aCL
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) March 30, 2025
Raducanu suffered a setback in the first week of the 2025 season after she missed Auckland due to a back injury. In the next two months, she stayed relatively healthy but her results weren’t great and she was even on a four-match losing streak at one point.
In Miami, Raducanu did much better. Now, the hope is that she turned the page in Miami and that more good results will follow. Her next chance at doing well will come in mid-April, when she kicks off her clay season in Rouen.
Tennis World USA