Seven coaches in under four years. That’s the headline of Emma Raducanu’s career, and her latest split with interim coach Vladimir Platenik only adds to the narrative. After Nick Cavaday stepped down post-Australian Open, Platenik was meant to provide stability, at least until the French Open. But their partnership ended abruptly, despite his initial reluctance to take the job, famously calling it “coaching suicide.” So, what did he have to say after the final split?

Well, his two-week trial with Emma Raducanu was reportedly initiated following her early exit at the Indian Wells Open. Although she made a winning start at the Miami Open by defeating Japan’s Sayaka Ishii in the first round by 6-2,6-1, Platenik’s absence in the player’s box was noted during her match. Instead, her long-time confidante and coach, Jane O’Donoghue, was spotted sitting alongside Collin Beecher (LTA women’s national coach) and her full-time fitness trainer Yukata Nakamura. Shortly after this match, her spokesperson gave out the real reason behind Vladimir Platenik’s absence.

“Emma and Vlado have parted ways. Emma has utmost respect for Vlado and the work they started but it wasn’t quite heading in the right direction. Emma is now focused on doing as well as she can here in Miami after her solid start today and will continue looking for the right coach,” her team communicated.

Addressing the speculation surrounding their split, Vladimir Platenik revealed to BBC Sport that Emma Raducanu ended their partnership due to feeling “stressed and under a lot of pressure.” From being the US Champion in 2021 to struggling to play a full season due to frequent injuries, Platenik admitted he totally understands that Raducanu is not in an easy position. What was his initial reaction when he heard about this decision?

“There are no hard feelings from my side. She finished the relationship in a fair way, maybe too quickly, but this is tennis, this is sport. We need to respect that. She was not feeling OK, and that was her decision. I didn’t want to go into deeper communication about that. I think the player needs to feel good, and the player needs to make a decision. Sometimes you make a good decision, and sometimes bad,” said the Slovak coach, as reported by BBC.

Vladimir Platenik revealed that Emma Raducanu’s father, Ian, had sought his advice on finding a coach after Nick Cavaday’s departure in January. Initially, Platenik recommended another candidate. However, when Platenik’s partnership with Lulu Sun ended, he himself began working with Raducanu. The 49-year-old Slovak coach quickly traveled to Indian Wells, landing just a day before Raducanu’s match against Moyuka Uchijima, and admitted he was “surprised by the way Emma was working.”

“She was not really able to stay in the rallies, there were a lot of problems to play on the move with the different speed, different spin and different angle,” he said. “We had a good discussion, the communication was good from her side. I was very happy because I really must say that I never had a player improving that fast – in eight, nine days. She was getting a lot of things very fast. And I think it also showed in the first round [victory over Sayaka Ishii in Miami]. She was playing very correct, technically and tactically – exactly what we were practising, so I’m happy and I hope that she could take something out of my help.”

Platenik saw positive results in Raducanu’s match against Ishii, noting her improved technique. He’s pleased that she benefited from his coaching. He concluded his interview by saying, “I was always honest, maybe I was too honest and a lot of players and parents and people around players don’t like it, but tennis is an honest sport.”

The chorus of criticism surrounding Emma Raducanu‘s frequent coaching changes continues to grow, with Patrick Mouratoglou and Ann Jones among those voicing their concerns. Following Platenik’s exit, Raducanu faces immense pressure. Can she turn the tide and deliver a compelling performance in Miami?

Emma Raducanu is all set to take on Emma Navarro at the 2025 Miami Open

Emma Raducanu missed this tournament last year due to an injury. So, this year the world number 60 will be keen to put up a strong performance and re-open her doors for the Top 50. However, she has been handed a tough draw at the 2025 Miami Open. While talking about her draw the former British number one, Laura Robson admitted, “For Emma, if she comes through that first round, the seed in her section is Emma Navarro. So a very tough draw.”

She’s all set to face America’s Emma Navarro, who recently won a title in Merida, in the next round. What does Raducanu have to say about the battle of two ‘Emmas’?

“It’s gonna be an extremely challenging match. I think it’s a match where she’s probably in better form, so I think I can just go out and try and express myself and compete for every point.” Highlighting Navarro’s game, the Brit added, “I think it’s deceiving how hard she hits the backhand especially, forehand, you know she can do a lot with the ball.”

So, according to Emma Raducanu, this is really going to be an interesting matchup. Who will have the last laugh in their first encounter, though?