Emma Raducanu provided an update on her health and coaching situation amid her introduction as a UNIQLO ambassador in Japan. The British tennis star confirmed she is not actively pursuing a new coach at this stage, focusing instead on recovering her fitness and performance.
The world No. 25’s transition to UNIQLO was finalized on Tuesday, marking the end of her long association with Nike. This new partnership underscores her continued marketability despite a challenging start to the 2026 season.
Recent Performance and Coaching Changes in 2026
Raducanu reached her first final since winning the 2021 US Open at the Transylvania Open in Cluj earlier this February. However, she faced consecutive losses during the Middle East tournaments that followed. Prior to Cluj, she ended her coaching relationship with Francisco Roig following a disappointing early exit at the Australian Open.
Since then, Raducanu has been working with Alexis Canter, who has supported her through recent events, though no permanent coaching arrangement has been established. Speaking about her coaching situation, Raducanu stated,
“Right now I wouldn’t say I’m actively looking for a coach,”
highlighting her current contentment with the support she has.
Reflecting on her past collaboration with Roig, she added,
“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 really good relationship.”
The Role of Alexis Canter in Raducanu’s Preparation
Alexis Canter, a respected member of the British tennis community, has a long-standing relationship with Raducanu. He assisted her during her run to the final in Cluj and was also by her side in last summer’s semi-final at the WTA 500 Washington Open. This ongoing partnership contributes to Raducanu’s decision to delay the search for a new full-time coach.
She said,
“Right now, 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 in Washington and Cluj, so it’s going well.”
Raducanu emphasized her focus on fundamental practice, explaining,
“I know the drills that I need to be doing right now in this moment in time, just repetition of doing those key fundamentals. I think I want to go back to that and [develop] a more aggressive style of playing.”
Health Challenges Affecting Recent Matches
Raducanu’s recent performances have been impacted by health issues, contributing to three consecutive defeats. After losing the final in Cluj to Sorana Cirstea, she retired during her opening match against Camila Osorio at the Qatar Open and was defeated by Antonia Ruzic in the first round of the Dubai Tennis Championships. Medical treatment was required following each of these matches.
She revealed that she contracted a virus early in the Transylvania Open, which caused lingering symptoms.
“In Cluj, I picked up like a virus, I think, at the start of the tournament. So I was dealing with that and the after-effects — I had really long effects for the last three weeks,”
Raducanu explained, adding,
“I’ve been trying to clear them. So the Middle East trip was very difficult for me.”
Looking ahead, she 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.”
Upcoming Tournament and Past Results at Indian Wells
Raducanu is preparing to compete at the WTA 1000 event in Indian Wells next week, aiming to rebound after recent setbacks. In 2025, she was eliminated in the first round by Moyuka Uchijima, but she boasts stronger showings in previous years—reaching the fourth round in 2023 and advancing to the third round in both 2022 and 2024.
This upcoming event offers Raducanu an opportunity to regain momentum as she focuses on restoring her health and refining her game with Canter’s guidance, potentially setting the stage for a stronger finish to the season.
