Emma Raducanu is reportedly set to be joined by childhood coach Nick Cavaday for the upcoming Australian Open, via The Daily Mail.
After being sidelined for eight months due to surgeries on both wrists and her right ankle, Raducanu returned to competitive action this week in Auckland, where she lost in the round-of-16 after a big battle against Elina Svitolina. In her first tournament back, Raducanu was reportedly joined by Jane O’Donoghue, who worked with the Briton during her junior days.
Following a pretty solid comeback in Auckland, Raducanu has turned her focus to the Australian Open. According to a report from The Daily Mail, “coach Cavaday is believed to have flown out to Melbourne” to accompany the 21-year-old for the first Grand Slam of the new season.
Raducanu worked with Cavaday during the offseason
When Raducanu ramped up her preparation to return to tennis at the start of 2024, British media were reporting that she was spotted training with coach Cavaday at the National Tennis Centre in London. Raducanu and Cavaday go a long way back as he was one of the 2021 US Open champion’s childhood coaches. They developed a good relationship several years ago and British media were also reporting in late 2023 that coach Cavaday is well-respected by the Raducanu family.
A month after having multiple surgeries, Raducanu announced her decision to split with coach Sebastian Sachs. Raducanu has returned to tennis since but she hasn’t yet announced a new full-time coach for 2024. However, it is still very early in the new season and Raducanu may be waiting to see how she will do at the Australian Open before making any big coaching moves.
This week, Raducanu officially learned that there would be no need for her to play in the Australian Open qualifying after several players withdrew, placing above the main draw cut. In Melbourne, Raducanu will be making her third Australian Open appearance. Previously, Raducanu suffered back-to-back Australian Open second-round losses in 2022 and 2023. It remains to be seen if Raducanu can do at least a bit better at Melbourne Park this year.