Emma Raducanu makes huge career decision as tennis star declares she is not looking for new coach after split

Emma Raducanu has declared she is not actively seeking a new coach following her split from Francisco Roig, her ninth coach since turning professional.

Speaking in Japan while announcing her lucrative new Uniqlo partnership, Britain's top-ranked female player expressed satisfaction with her current arrangement alongside hitting partner Alexis Canter.

Raducanu said: "Right now I wouldn't say I'm actively looking for a coach.

"I have Alexis in my corner. He knows me as a person. He knows me as a player and I've actually had some success with him in the past year. So it's going well."

The 27-year-old Canter, a former British professional who peaked at world number 779, guided Raducanu to her first final since the 2021 US Open triumph at the Transylvania Open earlier this month.

Roig, who previously worked with Rafael Nadal, departed Raducanu's team at the end of January after six months together.

The pair enjoyed a strong personal connection but found themselves at odds over tactical approach.

Raducanu explained: "I think I had a great experience with Francis in terms of how we got on so well… the rapport was great. I think in the end, we just weren't aligning on certain key aspects. But we still maintain a good relationship."

Following an error-filled second-round defeat to Anastasia Potapova at the Australian Open, the 23-year-old voiced frustration with her remodelled game, expressing a desire to play more like she did in her youth.

She told the Guardian: "I know the drills that I need to be doing just repetition of doing those key fundamentals.

"I think I want to go back to that and a more aggressive style of playing."

The world number 25 was unveiled as a global brand ambassador for Japanese clothing retailer Uniqlo in a deal reportedly worth £2.6million annually.

LATEST SPORT NEWS

• Emma Raducanu secures £2.6million in new deal as tennis star makes announcement following split
• Emma Raducanu 'splits with Nike' as new sponsor issues cryptic message
• Tennis ace who branded sport 'racist, misogynistic and homophobic' reveals vile abuse after retiring

The partnership sees Raducanu join an exclusive roster that includes Roger Federer, who made a similar switch from Nike to the Japanese brand back in 2018. She becomes Uniqlo's first female singles tennis player on their books.

Having worn Nike throughout her professional career, including during her remarkable US Open victory, Raducanu is expected to debut her new apparel at Indian Wells next month.

The agreement will see her take an active role in designing her on-court clothing and participate in community engagement activities worldwide, reflecting her enduring commercial appeal despite recent on-court inconsistency.

Raducanu's run to the Cluj-Napoca final came at a physical cost, with the British number one contracting a virus that has proved difficult to shake.

The illness contributed to first-round exits at both Doha and Dubai, where she required medical attention on court during both matches. In Dubai, she fell in three sets to lucky loser Antonia Ruzic.

Raducanu admitted: "I had really long effects for the last three weeks. I've been trying to clear them. So the Middle East trip was very difficult for me."

With the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells beginning on March 4, she remains focused on regaining full fitness.

The British tennis star said: "I'm getting ready for Indian Wells and just trying to get back to full health. And I still have a bit of time, so I'm just looking forward to doing my best to be ready for that."

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter