British tennis sensation Emma Raducanu finds herself searching for a new coach once again after Nick Cavaday ended their 14-month partnership due to health issues. The surprising development comes on the heels of Raducanu’s third-round showing at the Australian Open and her return to the top 60 in the WTA rankings following a challenging year marked by injuries and surgeries.
Raducanu, who burst onto the global tennis scene with her stunning US Open victory in 2021, had reunited with her childhood coach Cavaday ahead of the 2022 season. The pair appeared to have forged a strong and positive working relationship, with the 22-year-old Brit frequently praising Cavaday’s influence on her game and expressing hope for a long-term collaboration.
However, those plans have been unexpectedly cut short due to Cavaday’s health concerns. In a statement, Cavaday said: “I am very happy to have been able to work with Emma over the last 14 months. At this moment in time, it’s important for me to spend some more time at home and prioritise getting back to full health, which is hard to do with the extensive calendar.”
Raducanu’s Reaction and Next Steps
Responding to the news, Raducanu expressed gratitude for Cavaday’s contributions to her career: “I’d like to thank Nick for a great partnership over the last year and a bit. Especially being post-surgeries, he helped get me back inside the world’s top 60. I wish him all the best in his next chapter and no doubt we’ll stay in touch.”
The British No. 2 now faces the challenge of finding a suitable replacement to guide her as she looks to build on her promising start to the 2023 season. Raducanu has drawn criticism in the past for her frequent coaching changes, particularly after parting ways with Andrew Richardson shortly after their US Open triumph. However, this latest split appears to be driven by factors beyond her control.
For now, Raducanu is focusing on her upcoming tournament in Singapore, where she will compete alongside her fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura. The rising star is said to be in no rush to appoint a new coach, preferring to take her time to find the right fit for her team and playing style.
British Wheelchair Tennis Duo Continues Dominance
In other British tennis news, the formidable wheelchair doubles pairing of Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid claimed their sixth consecutive Australian Open title. The duo, who have now won 17 of the last 20 Grand Slam titles together, cruised to a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Spain’s Daniel Caverzaschi and France’s Stephane Houdet in the final.
“I think the key thing is just never resting on where we are and never being happy with our level, our performance, and always trying to improve.”
Gordon Reid on the secret to their success
Andy Lapthorne also tasted success in Melbourne, partnering with Dutch player Sam Schroder to win the quad wheelchair doubles title. The pair defeated top seeds Niels Vink and Guy Sasson 6-1, 6-4 to secure Lapthorne’s eighth Australian Open crown in the discipline.
As Emma Raducanu embarks on her search for a new coach, she can take inspiration from the unwavering determination and work ethic displayed by her compatriots in the wheelchair tennis arena. With the right mentor by her side and a commitment to continuous improvement, Raducanu has the potential to scale even greater heights in the coming years.
