Serena Williams’ former coach, Rick Macci, has jumped to the defence of Emma Raducanu following her exit in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Open.
Raducanu headed into 2025 with plans of getting back to form by playing regular tournaments.
It’s a change in approach to last year, where Raducanu focused more on getting herself tournament-ready with more attention on practice with a limited schedule.
The British star has already had an active start to the new season, but it’s been a mixed bag in terms of results.
Emma Raducanu was knocked out in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Open
GETTY
Her progress has also suffered a setback with coach Nick Cavaday stepping down due to health reasons.
Following the Australian Open, Raducanu entered the draw for the Singapore Tennis Open but lost to Cristina Bucsa in the first round.
She was handed a tricky draw against 2023 Wimbledon champion Vondrousova at the Abu Dhabi Open and was defeated in straight sets.
Raducanu’s latest defeat led to more online trolls targeting the British star as she continues to fight to find top form.
However, Macci has hit back at her detractors insisting Raducanu still has the talent to get back on top.
He wrote on X: “Everybody will call balls and strikes on how Emma does. Overreaction on steroids.
“When the person calling shots thinks out of the box with somebody who understands how to stimulate confidence change perspective and mindset the results and top ten is on the horizon.
“She has the talent. If not the sun will Set the same way and lose Sets. @EmmaRaducanu.”
Rick Macci was Serena Williams’ former coachGETTY
Raducanu had Croatian Roman Kelecic in her corner at the Abu Dhabi Open as she looks for a replacement for Cavaday.
Kelecic previously coached Raducanu during her junior years, but the British No 2 has revealed she won’t rush into any permanent decision.
“It’s a decision that I want to take my time with,” she added.
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“I think that’s why I haven’t necessarily jumped into something straight away, because I want to make sure it’s a right fit.
“And I think this period where I don’t necessarily have someone is going to tell me a lot. It’s going to teach me a lot, what I want, what I don’t want to look for in the next person.
“So I think I’m using this time period to just figure out what I really value. I’m not too sure yet right now.
“I haven’t come to any plans or decisions. So yeah, I’m just taking it, using the next couple weeks to see how I feel, and then make a decision.”