Emma Raducanu is still searching for a new coach after parting ways with Nick Cavaday.
The British No. 2 has turned to temporary mentors for her last two tournaments, but on a four-match losing streak, Raducanu would benefit from some stability in her team.
But if she wants to answer fans’ pleas, the former US Open champion will need to ruin Novak Djokovic’s partnership with Andy Murray.
Djokovic and Murray teamed up during the off-season and the Australian Open. After the Serb retired from his semi-final match, the future of their partnership was up in the air and both men said they needed to have a chat.
With Djokovic’s Aussie Open campaign over, Murray was technically a free agent as a coach. Days later, Raducanu split with Cavaday, who needed time at home to recover from an undisclosed chronic health issue.
It left some questioning whether Murray could begin working with Raducanu. And fans made their feelings known. Asked who Raducanu should hire as her next coach, 36 per cent of Express Sport readers picked Murray.
He got more than double the amount of votes as the second choice candidate, Patrick Mouratoglou, with 17 per cent of fans claiming the Frenchman should mentor Raducanu.
However, Murray is now set to extend his partnership with Djokovic. According to The Times, if present discussions go well, the old rivals will work together through to at least the French Open and Wimbledon this summer.
The Indian Wells Masters, which takes place next month, is set to be their next meeting point. Djokovic is also expected to compete in the upcoming ATP 500 in Doha, though Murray won’t be present.
If Raducanu is to listen to fans’ wishes and link up with Murray, she will need to entice the three-time Grand Slam champion away from Djokovic’s camp.
But that could prove to be a tough challenge. Murray recently opened up on his experience mentoring Djokovic and admitted that, while he was inexperienced as a coach, he thought he offered valuable insight as one of the Serb’s former rivals.
“I do think it’s a unique perspective I have on Novak’s game I’m able to make up for some of those weaknesses and flaws I have because I’ve competed against him in the biggest matches on the biggest stages over a 10-12 year period,” the retired Brit told the Sporting Misadventures podcast.
“I’ve studied his game a lot but also experienced what It’s like to play against him. We had those conversations. Hopefully it was beneficial for him. I know if I was a player I would have found that helpful.”
Murray would likely want to get more coaching experience under his belt before working with a player like Raducanu, whom he wouldn’t be able to offer the same insight because he has never competed against her.
It remains to be seen how Raducanu moves forward in her search for a full-time coach, though she previously claimed she didn’t want to rush any decisions.
She teamed up with Roman Kelecic, one of her coaches from her junior ITF days, for the Abu Dhabi Open. One of her close confidants, Jane O’Donoghue, flew to Doha to accompany her at the Qatar Open and will also be in Dubai next week.
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