Change is the only constant in life—this is a mantra that Emma Raducanu swears by—if not for everything, then surely for the coaching part. Her coaching saga became a revolving door of mentors, with each chapter marked by new faces, like Torben Beltz, and Dmitry Tursunov, and abrupt goodbyes. Yet some connections like Nick Cavaday remained strong!

The Briton started her 2025 season with Cavaday, who helped her reach the Australian Open’s third round, where she lost to Iga Swiatek. “I’ve known Nick since I was 10 years old, and he helped me out the last week at the NTC [National Tennis Centre]. Before that, the LTA helped me a ton,” Raducanu said. Cavaday’s mentorship helped Raducanu return to the WTA’s top 60 ranking as well. However, just when things seemed to be getting stable, Cavaday stepped away from his role, citing personal reasons. And now, the Briton has turned to her old mentor ahead of her campaign in Doha, where she will face Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round.

Cavaday’s departure ignited speculation about Raducanu’s next coach. After the split, Serena Williams’ childhood coach Rick Macci confirmed that he was approached by Raducanu’s team to mentor the WTA star. “Was asked about helping Emma. If parents/team asked I would maybe guide/ help mold the mental /strategic and biomechanical part from here. I am too busy to travel but I could rewire the serve and mindset and help set the table to eat her way back into the top ten. @EmmaRaducanu,” Macci posted on X.

But Raducanu needed a more hands-on coach for the Qatar Open, especially after losing in the Round of 32 twice, in Singapore and Abu Dhabi, recently. One of Raducanu’s fan pages on X posted that the Briton’s old mentor Jane O’Donoghue will help her again in Doha.

O’Donoghue, a British former player, was LTA’s national coach for women from 2009 to 2019. She won three ITF tour titles and made four Wimbledon appearances as well. She became Raducanu’s support network during her tenure in LTA. In, 2022, Raducanu was spotted practicing with O’Donoghue before her career’s second Wimbledon campaign. She had just split with her ex-coach Torben Beltz and found help in O’Donoghue’s advice. “It’s really nice and refreshing to have her around, I know she has my best interests at heart and it’s just nice to have a familiar face,” said the WTA star.

O’Donoghue mentored Raducanu since her teenage years. And even during Nick Cavaday’s tenure, she was there whenever needed. She accompanied Raducanu and her former coach Nick Cavaday to Auckland last year. Raducanu also relied on her for the 2024 Nottingham Open, as Cavaday was sick. In 2022, Claire Curran, O’Donoghue’s former partner told Telegraph, “Jane’s never not been on Emma’s team. She’s always been an invisible mentor to Emma, she’s a friend of the family. So even though she’s not been on the scene in the last three-and-a-half years, she’s very much been part of Emma’s inner circle.” 

Jane O’Donoghue mentored Raducanu during her 2024 Wimbledon run as well, alongside Cavaday. With her “invisible mentor” on board, Raducanu expressed positivity ahead of her campaign at the All England Club. “Today physically I actually felt fine. It [the defeat] wasn’t to do with being in pain [even though] yesterday the match was close to three hours. Plus the warm-up before, I played almost four hours on court, and this morning I pulled up completely fine. I mean, I was surprised about it. That’s a big positive,” she said.

Jane O’Donoghue’s enduring support showcases her influence on Emma Raducanu’s career. More than a coach, she has acted like the Briton’s guiding force in her turbulent professional journey.

Emma Raducanu called Jane O’Donoghue “big sister”

Last year Telegraph described O’Donoghue as a sympathetic ear for Emma Raducanu. Besides Nick Cavaday’s guidance, O’Donoghue’s advice helped Raducanu remain motivated through adversities. Reflecting on this relationship, Raducanu said, “Jane is like a big sister. She always took me under her wing. She was my national coach when I was younger, and we always stayed in touch. [She is] a friend looking out for me, but I’m very happy with the work I’m doing with Nick, and that’s very much solid.” 

Apart from bringing O’Donoghue back into the set-up for Doha, Raducanu has hired a new fitness coach as well. The Briton has joined forces with Yutaka Nakamura, who earlier worked with Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka. “I think he is going to help me just really explore how far I can go like athletically, My natural athleticism is something that I have to use. I have to hone it, I have to polish it, it’s still pretty raw and I don’t think anywhere near fully developed so he’s going to help me explore that,” she said.

Despite three disappointing early exits this season, Emma Raducanu is looking forward and is pumped to show her potential in Doha. With her mentor Jane O’Donoghue by her side, can she finally unleash her old form that helped her win a Grand Slam trophy in 2021? What do you think?