Emma Raducanu achieved much of her success in the beginning of her career. At 19 years of age, she created history as she became the first qualifier to win the 2021 US Open, that too without dropping a set. But then what happened? The mountain of expectations behind her crumbled as she struggled through wrist and foot injuries. Now ranked 56 in the world, she is climbing back to the top. The British star is going back to basics!

The 22-year-old tennis player’s start of 2025 was quite unfortunate. Raducanu was all prepared to make an entrance at the Auckland Open but a back injury forced her to withdraw from her first tournament of the season. However, this setback didn’t dull her spirits as she had her most successful run at the Australian Open. The British tennis star reached the third round of AO but was bested by Iga Siwatek 6-1,6-0 in a brutal match.

The former US Open champion then made her way to the Singapore Open but had to be disappointed there as well. Seeded seventh in the tournament, she drew World No.101 Cristina Bucsa in the first round which seemed quite lucky for her. However, Raducanu lost 5-7, 7-5, 7-5 in a closely contested match. If she had reached the quarterfinals, Raducanu could have likely broken into the top 50.

But despite the setbacks, she continues to remain optimistic. Emma Raducanu had planned on spending the entire week in Singapore. So where will she be headed next? In a surprising turn of events, the Canadian-born British tennis player will be making her way to the Abu Dhabi Open to play as a qualifier for the first time since the 2021 US Open.

After her historic win, Raducanu had gotten wildcards for every tournament she played. However, due to a dip in the rankings, she is now open to playing as a qualifier. She had considered the option last year as well.

“I think playing qualies is not something that I am against,” Raducanu told BBC Sport last August. “If you get through those two rounds you feel you’re adjusted to the court. If you’re playing a seed, you have a better eye for the ball, a better feel – it’s not that I am against it at all.“

The main draw entry in Abu Dhabi includes World No.5 Elena Rybakina, Australian Open semi-finalist Paula Badosa and British number one Katie Boulter. Will Emma Raducanu be able to repeat her success as a qualifier? It seems difficult as the 22-year-old is traveling without a coach.

Emma Raducanu to play without a coach at the Abu Dhabi Open 

The 2021 US Open champion has seen six coaching changes in her career. Currently, she is searching for a new coach, as her ex-coach Nick Cavaday had to end their partnership due to health reasons.

Cavaday had previously coached Raducanu as a junior. She hired him again and their stint lasted for 14 months. It was a significant time in the British tennis player’s life as she made a comeback after going through surgeries on both her wrists and one ankle.

Their partnership yielded good results as Cavaday helped her get back into the top 60.  On 24th January the coach announced that he would he parting ways with Raducanu.  “At this moment in time, it’s important for me to spend some more time at home and prioritize getting back to full health, which is hard to do with the extensive calendar,” he said.

The 22-year-old’s first coach was Nigel Sears. When she won the US Open she was being coached by Andrew Richardson. After this, she had brief partnerships with Torben Beltz, Dmitry Tursunov, and Sebastian Sachs.

The World No.56 is currently traveling with her fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura.

Emma Raducanu’s journey has been anything but easy, as she navigates injuries, ranking dips, and yet another coaching change. Can she rediscover her magic on the court as a qualifier once again?