Exclusive: Barbara Schett hopes Emma Raducanu can stick with a coach ‘not only for a few months’
It’s important that Emma Raducanu finds a coach who she can work with long term, says Eurosport expert Barbara Schett ahead of the 2023 Australian Open.
Raducanu is currently the world No. 75 after she slipped down the rankings last year when the points from her 2021 US Open win dropped off, and the Briton will hope that she can better her second-round appearance in Melbourne last year.
“I just hope that one day Emma will find the coach whom she can work with for a long time and not only for a few months. I think that will be really important for her, she hasn’t found that match yet. We’ll see how she goes now with the one she has now,” said Schett.
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“We still have to give her time,” claimed Schett on her expectations of Raducanu.
“I’m a big believer in Emma and that she will get back into the top 10. Let’s not forget that it happened so quickly. Her life totally changed.
“But she will go down her own path. I think she’s a fantastic tennis player – you saw the way she played at the US Open.
Emma Raducanu of Great Britain practices ahead of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 15, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia.
Image credit: Getty Images
“She could potentially play against Coco Gauff in the second round, which is a big clash. And I’m sure Coco is not looking forward to facing Emma. We will have to keep an eye on that one. But first, obviously she has to win her first-round match, but she will come back. If it’s not this year, then it’s next year, the year after she’s still young. We have to give her time.”
Schett also gave her thoughts on who she believes is the favourite for the women’s single title at the Australian Open, saying: “Iga Swiatek goes in as the favourite on the women’s side if you look back at what kind of season she had. She has to be the favourite.
“The only setback was probably losing that match against Jessica Pegula [at the United Cup] when she was in tears afterwards, she was shocked she didn’t have a plan B against her.
“That cannot happen at the Grand Slam that’s for sure but she’s handled all the occasions, all the pressure so well last year, so I have no doubt she will handle all these occasions well this year. And Pegula played one of her best ever matches I think. I would like to see her doing that again because if Pegula can play tennis like that then she probably should be number one in the world.”
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