Emma Raducanu's axed coach blames two reasons for split after just one match
The partnership only lasted one match before the pair parted ways.
Vladimir Platenik has blamed his immediate split from Emma Raducanu on the ‘stress and pressure’ currently affecting the 22-year-old. The trial partnership between the pair ended after just one match in Indian Wells, with the British star losing to Mayuka Uchjima.
Raducanu had reportedly tried to hire the Slovakian previously in her career. However, the 49-year-old was axed before heading to the US for the Miami Open, where she won her first-round clash this week with Sayaka Ishii. Platenik has now opened up on the reasoning behind the partnership ending and insisted he holds no ill feelings towards the 2021 US Open champion.
Related articles
“I totally understand Emma, she’s not in an easy position,” he told BBC Sport. “The world is looking at her after the US Open, and everybody is expecting (big things), including herself, with what she is going to do next.”
Her appearance at Indian Wells was Raducanu’s first since her harrowing stalking ordeal at the Dubai Open. The former tennis professional implied that the saga had also impacted the state of mind of the world No.60.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
“For me it’s absolutely understandable that she’s under a lot of pressure. She told me she was feeling stressed,” he added. “There are no hard feelings from my side. She finished the relationship in a fair way, maybe too quickly, but this is tennis, this is sport. We need to respect that.
“She was not feeling okay, and that was her decision. I didn’t want to go into deeper communication about that. I think the player needs to feel good, and the player needs to make a decision. Sometimes you make a good decision, and sometimes bad.”
Despite their short time together, Platenik said he was “happy” with Raducanu’s progress under him and was satisfied to see her prevail over Ishii. She will next be in action on Friday afternoon when she has a tough assignment against eighth seed Emma Navarro.
In the latest in a long line of temporary appointments, Raducanu is working with long-time advisor and coach Jane O’Donoghue in Miami. Fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura, who was appointed in December, is also with her in Florida.
