The glittering, fairytale ascent of Emma Raducanu to the 2021 US Open title remains one of the most remarkable stories in modern sport. However, the subsequent years have been a challenging navigation of injuries, form, and a revolving door of coaching consultants. Now, a former mentor has publicly stated that the young Brit "needs a solution" to find the stability required to reignite her career.
Dmitry Tursunov, the highly-respected coach who worked with Raducanu for a two-month trial period in the latter half of the 2022 season, has weighed in on the persistent issues plaguing the 21-year-old. His comments come amidst another period of transition for Raducanu, who is currently without a full-time head coach after a brief stint with Sebastian Sachs ended in 2023.
The Coaching Carousel: A Revolving Door of Influence
Since her historic victory in Flushing Meadows, a period of just over two and a half years, Raducanu has worked with an astonishing five different coaches. She started with Andrew Richardson, who guided her to the US Open title, but was replaced shortly after. She then had a high-profile partnership with Torben Beltz, followed by brief stints with Iain Bates (interim), Dmitry Tursunov on trial, and most recently, Sebastian Sachs. This lack of continuity is seen by many pundits as a primary factor in her struggle to build consistent momentum on the WTA Tour.
Tursunov, who has also worked with the likes of Aryna Sabalenka and Anett Kontaveit, highlighted this instability as a critical problem. He suggested that the constant change prevents the development of a deep, trusting player-coach relationship, which is essential for long-term development. "It's very difficult to build anything substantial when the foundation is always shifting," he remarked in an interview.
Tursunov's Candid Assessment: "She Needs a Solution"
The Russian coach was notably candid about the challenges he observed. While he praised Raducanu's work ethic and intelligence, he pointed to external pressures and a unique team structure as complicating factors. "There were a lot of people walking around her," Tursunov noted, hinting at a potentially crowded and conflicting advisory circle.
His most direct advice was a clear call to action: "She needs a solution." He elaborated that this solution isn't just about hiring any coach, but about finding the right long-term fit—a person who can provide not just technical and tactical guidance, but also a stable and trusted presence to shield her from the immense off-court scrutiny that has followed her since her breakthrough.
Tursunov also touched on the physical struggles that have derailed her progress, including surgeries on both wrists and one ankle in 2023. He implied that a consistent coaching voice is crucial for managing a player's schedule and physical conditioning to prevent such injuries. "The body often breaks down when the mind is unsettled and the training isn't consistent," he suggested.
The Search for Stability and a Defined Path Forward
For Raducanu to return to the top of the game, analysts agree she must address several key areas, all of which are hampered by a lack of a steady coaching hand:
- Technical Consistency: Refining and trusting her aggressive game style under pressure.
- Physical Durability: Building a robust fitness base to withstand the rigors of the tour.
- Mental Fortitude: Developing strategies to handle expectations and setbacks.
- Tournament Scheduling: Creating a smart, manageable calendar to accumulate matches and points.
The absence of a lead figure makes coordinating these elements incredibly difficult. Each new coach brings a new philosophy, a new training regimen, and a new dynamic, forcing the player to constantly adapt rather than evolve within a stable system.
A Glimmer of Hope and the Road to Reconciliation
Despite the challenges, the 2024 season has shown promising signs. Raducanu has returned to competition following her surgeries and has displayed flashes of the brilliant, fearless tennis that captivated the world. Her powerful groundstrokes and fighting spirit remain intact. The task now is to convert those flashes into sustained performances.
The consensus within the tennis world is that Tursunov's comments, while blunt, are intended constructively. He has firsthand experience of the talent at Raducanu's disposal and the environment she operates in. His public intervention can be seen as a nudge to her team to prioritize stability and find a single, authoritative voice to guide her.
As she continues her comeback, the question of who will fill that coaching seat remains the most significant. The right "solution," as Tursunov put it, could be the key to unlocking the second chapter of the Emma Raducanu story—proving that her New York fairytale was not a fleeting moment, but the beginning of a legendary career.