Emma Raducanu’s agent has admitted that he does not agree with her coaching changes but urged for an end to ‘malicious’ criticism of the 21-year-old. The Brit has endured a torrid time with injuries and poor form since her remarkable US Open win in 2021, with her failing to reach the third round of a major since.
Raducanu became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam when she triumphed over Leylah Fernandez in the final in New York. Her tough few years have been punctuated by a series of coaching changes. Nine in total, which have raised doubts over her focus. Her agent Max Eisenbud rejected this assertion, though he conceded he does not ‘necessarily agree’ with the method. ‘As the agent, do I necessarily agree with [the coaching changes]? I don’t.’ He said on the Served With Andy Roddick podcast. ‘But it seems to work for her.
Her agent Max Eisenbud (left) believes criticism of the youngster has been unfair at times
Emma Raducanu lost in the last-16 to Ons Jabeur at the Abu Dhabi Open earlier this month
‘As the agent we can only try to recommend and say, ‘Hey, this one did it this way.’ But they [the family] seem to be very comfortable in the way they are doing it and I have to respect that. ‘Maybe that changes and maybe it doesn’t. But she really is a hard worker. And tennis is her priority. Yes, people want to see that she does other things. But the way I see her work and how smart she is, I believe she’ll win more [Grand] Slams.’
Raducanu joined forces with childhood coach Nick Cavaday just a week before the start of the Australian Open earlier this year. She worked with Cavaday when she was a junior. Her latest return to action came after an eight-month absence following wrist and ankle surgeries. Eisenbud, offered a staunch defence of the youngster, claiming that she has done everything backwards and stating his confidence that she’ll win more Gland Slams in the future.
‘The girl did everything backward, she skipped every step.’ He said. ‘She won the US Open, she went to the next tournament, she didn’t even know where the player’s lounge was, she didn’t know where the practice courts were. ‘Being tough on her or critical on her like any other player [is wrong]. But she is still figuring it out. I just think that people should not be malicious.’
