British tennis star Emma Raducanu’s bold decision to part ways with coach Dmitry Tursunov has spectacularly backfired following a crushing straight-sets defeat to former French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova in the quarter-finals of the Korea Open on Thursday. The 6-3, 6-2 loss in Seoul was a stark reminder of the instability that has plagued Raducanu’s young career since her historic 2021 US Open triumph.
A Tactical Masterclass from Krejcikova
From the outset, the experienced Krejcikova, currently ranked 21st in the world, executed a near-perfect game plan. She expertly targeted Raducanu’s vulnerable second serve and used her heavy topspin groundstrokes to push the Briton deep behind the baseline, never allowing her to settle into a rhythm. Raducanu struggled to find any answers, looking increasingly frustrated as the match wore on. The statistics painted a grim picture: Raducanu hit 21 unforced errors to Krejcikova’s 11 and managed to convert zero break point opportunities.
The Czech player’s dominance was most evident in her control of the rallies. “I felt like I was always on the back foot,” Raducanu admitted in her post-match press conference. “She was dictating every point. I couldn’t find my timing or my range today. It’s disappointing.” The comprehensive nature of the defeat, lasting just one hour and 22 minutes, sent shockwaves through the tennis world and raised immediate questions about Raducanu’s recent coaching choices.
The Tursunov Split Under the Microscope
This loss feels particularly significant because it marks Raducanu’s first tournament since her surprising split with coach Dmitry Tursunov. The Russian coach, who has also worked with the likes of Aryna Sabalenka and Anett Kontaveit, had been widely credited with guiding Raducanu through a promising North American hard-court swing, which included a run to the semi-finals of the Korea Open. Their partnership, which began in the summer, appeared to be bearing fruit, making the sudden separation all the more puzzling.
Reports suggest the split was not Tursunov’s decision. It is believed he was keen to continue the partnership but Raducanu and her team opted for a change in direction. This pattern is becoming a concerning trend for the 19-year-old. Since winning the US Open as a qualifier without a dedicated coach, Raducanu has cycled through a staggering number of coaches, including:
- Andrew Richardson (parted ways after US Open win)
- Torben Beltz (lasted just five months)
The lack of continuity at the helm of her career is seen by many pundits as a primary reason for her inconsistent results and struggle to build on her early success. The decision to leave Tursunov, a coach known for his no-nonsense approach and tactical acumen, is now being heavily scrutinized in the wake of such a one-sided defeat.
A Step Back in the Comeback Journey
This tournament in Seoul was a crucial opportunity for Raducanu. After a season marred by injuries and loss of form, she had shown positive signs in the previous rounds, battling through tough matches against Moyuka Uchijima and Yanina Wickmayer. A deep run, or even a title, would have provided a massive confidence boost and valuable ranking points as she looks to climb back up the WTA rankings from her current position of 77. Instead, the loss to Krejcikova feels like a significant step backward.
The defeat highlights several areas of concern that a stable coaching presence like Tursunov was presumably addressing:
- Second Serve Vulnerability: Krejcikova attacked it relentlessly, winning a high percentage of points.
- Inconsistency from the Baseline: A high unforced error count remains a persistent issue.
- Strategic Flexibility: An inability to problem-solve and adjust tactics mid-match against a savvy opponent.
Tennis analyst and former player Laura Robson expressed her concerns, stating, “It’s a real shame to see the partnership with Dmitry end. They seemed to be building something solid. Emma is an incredible talent, but talent needs direction and stability to truly flourish. This constant change makes it very difficult to build any momentum.”
Looking Ahead: An Uncertain Future
The immediate question now is: what’s next for Emma Raducanu? She is scheduled to play at the WTA 500 event in San Diego later this month, but she will enter the tournament without a confirmed coach. This puts her at a distinct disadvantage against the top-tier players she will need to beat to regain her status. The search for a new coach will be paramount, but finding the right fit who can also navigate the unique pressures of her team will be a formidable challenge.
The Korea Open was meant to be a statement that Raducanu was back on track. Instead, her quarter-final exit has become a statement of a different kind—one that underscores the potential consequences of instability and impatience. The crushing nature of the loss to Krejcikova suggests that the problems are not just physical but perhaps also structural. The decision to move on from Tursunov, for now, looks like a serious miscalculation that has left her game exposed and her immediate future uncertain.
As Krejcikova moves on to the semi-finals, Raducanu is left to ponder what might have been. The path back to the top of the game is a long and difficult one, and it is rarely walked alone. For Emma Raducanu, finding the right guide to walk it with her has never seemed more important, or more elusive.