Emma Raducanu’s search for stability took another hit as her brief coaching stint with Vlado Platenik ended after just two weeks. Following a string of disappointing losses in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, and Indian Wells, she brought Platenik on board in hopes of finding consistency. However, their partnership failed to yield results, leading to an abrupt split right before the Miami Open. This marks yet another coaching change for Raducanu, raising concerns about whether frequent transitions are hindering her progress.
Platenik, who previously coached top players like Daria Kasatkina and Dominika Cibulková, had been approached twice before to coach Raducanu but declined, citing concerns about instability. In a recent interview with **Dennik N**, he revealed that he initially saw working with her as “coaching suicide.” Despite this, he later accepted, believing she had endured the worst and was ready for a fresh start. However, their brief collaboration suggests that the underlying issues in Raducanu’s camp remain unresolved, adding to her history of seven coaching changes in three years.
Despite these setbacks, Raducanu showed promise at the Miami Open, defeating Sayaka Ishii 6-2, 6-1 in just 65 minutes. This strong performance suggests she may be regaining confidence after a difficult stretch, including an unsettling experience in Dubai, where she was stalked by a man. With longtime mentor Jane O’Donoghue providing guidance, Raducanu now faces Karolina Muchova in the next round. Whether she can maintain this momentum and find long-term stability remains to be seen.
