Emma Raducanu Concludes Coaching Trial with Vladimir Platenik After Miami Open Victory

Emma Raducanu's coaching trial with Vladimir Platenik has come to an abrupt end after just two weeks. The British tennis star, ranked second in the UK, made headlines with her straight-sets victory against Japanese teenager Sayaka Ishii in the first round of the Miami Open. However, Platenik was notably absent from the coaching box during this match.

A Brief Partnership

The coaching trial between Raducanu and Platenik was short-lived. The 49-year-old coach, known for his work with Daria Kasatkina and Dominika Cibulkova, had previously suggested a tentative agreement to continue coaching until the French Open in May. Despite this, Raducanu's representatives stated that while she holds the 'utmost respect' for Platenik, the relationship 'wasn't quite heading in the right direction'.

On-Court Performance

Raducanu demonstrated her resilience on the court, securing a decisive 6-2, 6-1 victory against Ishii. This win was particularly significant as it marked her first professional victory at the Miami Open, following a challenging period that included a first-round defeat at Indian Wells and a distressing experience with a stalker in Dubai.

'It hasn't been easy for me coming into this, but I feel I put in a good performance,' Raducanu said after her match. 'I hadn't won a match here before in my professional career. I am just so happy to now be able to score a win.'

Future Prospects

The end of the coaching trial leaves Raducanu in search of a permanent coach since Nick Cavaday stepped down for health reasons after the Australian Open in January. She has previously worked with a range of coaches including Nigel Sears, Andrew Richardson, Torben Beltz, Dmitry Tursunov, and Sebastian Sachs.

As Raducanu moves forward, her focus will be on navigating the challenges of professional tennis and continuing to build on her successes. Her next match will be against American eighth seed Emma Navarro in the second round of the Miami Open.