Emma is going it all alone
EMMA RADUCANU is set to play in her father’s homeland of Romania without a coach or fans at this week’s Transylvania Open.
The US Open champion is enjoying a trial period with Spaniard Esteban Carril after splitting with Andrew Richardson following her
New York triumph.
But Carril, Jo Konta’s former coach, has prior commitments in the UK and the British No.1 practised with local player Elenagabriela Ruse yesterday.
Raducanu’s father, Ian, is from Romania but the world No.24 will not benefit from local support as rising Covid19 rates saw the tournament announce no fans will be admitted. Negotiations over a possible reduced capacity were ongoing last night.
Raducanu has drawn Slovenia world No.123
Polona Hercog in the first round and faces a potential semi-final clash with top seed Simona Halep on Saturday.
Trials
The Bromley-based star, 18, is seeking a first win since the US Open after losing her first match at the BNP Paribas Open in California to thenworld No.100 Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus.
Raducanu worked with Nigel Sears until reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon and then Richardson until after the US Open.
The LTA’S Jeremy Bates worked with her in Indian Wells before she trained with Carril in London last week.
Pundit Tim Henman said: “She is probably going to go through a period where she trials a few coaches.
“It is not that easy if she is playing tournaments as well. She has got a few more events left this year.
“Once she is finished she has November and December when it is more likely we will understand where she’ll go with the appointment.”
Meanwhile, world No.1
Ash Barty will not defend her title at the WTA Finals in Mexico next month and has ended her season because she did not want quarantine to “compromise” her preparation for January’s Australian Open.