Emma Raducanu names the coach who is going to help her out for the Abu Dhabi Open after splitting with Nick Cavaday

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Emma Raducanu is on the lookout for a new coach after splitting from Nick Cavaday following the Australian Open.

Raducanu parted ways with Cavaday, after just over a year together due to the 38-year-old wanting to focus on his own health.

It has been a mixed start to the 2025 season for the former US Open champion, with Raducanu achieving her best Australian Open result, before most recently suffering a disappointing first round exit from the Singapore Open.

Looking to put that behind her, Raducanu has now headed to Abu Dhabi, where it was originally reported that she had received a wildcard to play in qualifying.

However, Raducanu has since had her wildcard upgraded and will now compete against former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in the first round.

It is at this WTA 500 level tournament where Raducanu will be reunited with a familiar face.

Emma Raducanu reunites with former coach Roman Kelecic for the Abu Dhabi Open

Raducanu will work with Yutaka Nakamura, who is her fitness trainer, and reunite with junior coach Roman Kelecic in Abu Dhabi.

The Croatian had mentored Raducanu on the ITF Tour between the ages of 14 to 16 and is now based in Dubai.

When speaking to The National, Raducanu explained her reasoning for reaching out to Kelecic after going years without seeing him.

“He travelled with me when I was like 14,15, in the junior ITFs; we went to all the glamorous places together when we were younger in the juniors,” said Raducanu.

“And we haven’t honestly seen each other in so many years. But he’s based out of Dubai, and I think in this situation, I mean, I wanted to see him anyway, to catch up. So I texted him to catch up, and now he’s on court with me, so he’s going to help me out this week.”

Emma Raducanu explains what she is looking for in a permanent coach

There is now a lot of speculation about who Raducanu’s next coach will be, having just seen her longest partnership since her breakthrough in 2021 come to an end.

However, it appears that Raducanu is not wanting to rush into any decisions before appointing that coach.

“It’s a decision that I want to take my time with,” explained the 22-year-old. “I think that’s why I haven’t necessarily jumped into something straight away, because I want to make sure it’s a right fit.

“And I think this period where I don’t necessarily have someone is going to tell me a lot. It’s going to teach me a lot, what I want, what I don’t want to look for in the next person.

“So I think I’m using this time period to just figure out what I really value. I’m not too sure yet right now. I haven’t come to any plans or decisions. So yeah, I’m just taking it, using the next couple weeks to see how I feel, and then make a decision.”

Despite being in Abu Dhabi, Raducanu is also unsure of whether she will compete at other tournaments in the Middle East in Doha and Dubai.