Picture trying to erect a sturdy structure on a foundation of loose, ever-moving grains. That’s the image that comes to mind when considering Emma Raducanu’s recent struggles. “I’m that kind of person who needs a plan and needs preparation,” she’d articulated. But 2025 has offered her anything but stability. Following a disheartening Australian Open, she sought a remedy, bringing in Vlado Platenik as an interim coach, a two-week experiment intended to bring much-needed consistency. However, her path through the tennis circuit continued to be marked by a cascade of losses in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Dubai, culminating in an abrupt departure from Indian Wells. And just as she hoped for a firm footing, the ground beneath her shifted once more. Fourteen days into the trial, the coaching partnership dissolved, leaving her facing the same fundamental challenge: how to establish a stable foundation when the very ground beneath her feet refuses to stay still?

The 49-year-old previously worked with the likes of Daria Kasatkina, Dominika Cibulková, Veronika Kudermetova, and Lulu Sun. With him in the player’s box, Raducanu started her campaign against Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima. But the latter ousted her in straight sets. Given the momentary nature of their collaboration, Raducanu eventually decided to cut ties with Platenik. The news came just ahead of her next campaign in Miami.

A statement from her spokesperson revealed, “Emma has utmost respect for Vlado and the work they started but it wasn’t quite heading in the right direction.” reported Sky Sports on March 20. However, what’s interesting to note is Platenik’s approach to this partnership – even before coming aboard. For the uninitiated, he opted to become her coach after being offered the role for a third time. In the past, he was approached on two occasions as well. However, he refused. Why?

In an interview with Slovakian newspaper Dennik N, dated March 6, Platenik revealed he thought of those offers as a “su-cide”. He said, “Emma also approached me in a similar situation right after a great success (in 2021), which is why I said it could be coaching suicide,” reported The Times on March 19.

Despite that, he expressed optimism for Raducanu’s future, stating, “But now she is in a completely different position. She’s already gone through hell, she’s already been through the worst.” It was previously anticipated that they would utilize the period leading up to the French Open to solidify their working relationship. However, this marks Raducanu’s split with her seventh coach in three years.

Nick Cavaday was Raducanu’s sixth coach. While announcing their split, Cavaday said, “I am very happy to have been able to work with Emma over the last 14 months. 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. I am glad Emma is back to being established on tour now with a ranking inside the top 60, and I look forward to seeing what she does from here,” he said, as reported by The Guardian on January 24. Prior to him, she worked with Nigel Sears, Andrew Richardson (her trainer during the US Open victory), Torben Beltz, Dmitry Tursunov, and Sebastian Sachs.

But guess what? It appears Raducanu may not miss Platenik that much in the next two weeks. Her form at the Miami Open suggests the Brit is on the right path – finally. But how?

Emma Raducanu kickstarts 2025 Miami Open campaign in style

Last month was heavy was for Emma Raducanu. Not just because of a poor form but also due to a harrowing incident. During her campaign in Dubai, in the R32 match against Karolina Muchova, she was stalked by a man. According to WTA’s official statement, he “exhibited fixated behavior.”

Thankfully, he was later arrested and banned from all WTA events going forward. Further, the governing body also mentioned that it was actively “working with Emma and her team to ensure her well-being and provide any necessary support.” It seems Raducanu has forgotten that unpleasant experience and moved forward with a positive mindset. It becomes evident from her performance at the Miami Open.

After mostly losing the first round encounters in two months, Raducanu showed her potential on Thursday. In the R128 battle against 188-ranked Sayaka Ishii, she dominated the court.

The 22-year-old beat the Japanese wild card with a convincing score line of 6-2, 6-1. And guess what? She wrapped up this match in just 65 minutes. Is that an indication of her return to form? One cannot really say. But it’s a good sign overall. However, her journey won’t be an easy ride from now on.

In the R64, Raducanu is set to face the challenge of Muchova on Friday. The last time they met in Dubai, it was Muchova who had the last laugh, with a score line of 7-6(6), 6-4. Currently, she is also leading the h2h tally 1-0.

As for the coach, Emma Raducanu’s hunt is still on for a new candidate. In the meantime, she’s getting help from longtime friend and childhood mentor Jane O’Donoghue. Will she make a deep run this time or crash out early? Let us know in the comments below.