Emma Raducanu has been told what to prioritise after splitting with her coach of 14 months.
The British No. 2 was forced to end her partnership with Nick Cavaday as he needed time at home to deal with a chronic health condition.
Raducanu has yet to hire a replacement, but Tim Henman wants to see the 22-year-old focus on something else.
Raducanu and Cavaday announced their split following her run to the third round of the Australian Open. The world No. 56 has now worked with six coaches since making her tour debut during the 2021 grass season.
The Brit has already played one tournament since parting ways with Cavaday, losing in the first round of Singapore. She has since taken a wildcard into qualifying for Abu Dhabi.
Although she is competing without a coach, Raducanu isn’t travelling alone. Over the off-season, she hired fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura, who is accompanying her on the tour.
Former world No. 4 Henman has now had his say on Raducanu’s coaching situation. While he believes she needs a new mentor, Henman says she is better off prioritising her physicality over her tennis.
“It’s for her and her team to look at. I think she needs a coach,” the retired player said.
“I think it’s great that she’s now got a fitness trainer on board because which is the priority, is it technical, physical, or mental? I think it’s physical – to build up that resilience – so that she can compete, week in, week out.
“I never really felt like it’s been an issue of her level. I think, when she has played, her level has always been very, very good.”
Last year, Raducanu competed 13 events and two Billie Jean King Cup ties. And Henman now wants to see her play a full schedule.
He continued: “If you look at her breakdown of her ranking last year, she played 33 matches, and I think 11 on grass. When you look at the other 10 months of the year, to only have played 22 matches, that’s so few.
“And she is completely aware of that, so she’ll get a coach I’m sure at the right moment, but I think the work physically she’s doing is is the most important thing.”
The Sky Sports pundit is also encouraged by Raducanu’s decision to enter qualifying in Abu Dhabi this weekend. It’s the first time she will attempt to qualify for a tournament since her winning run at the 2021 US Open.
“I think that’s a great move and if she can just stay healthy and she competes a lot, there results will come, because she’s that good,” Henman added.
“If she wasn’t good enough, then you would say, ‘Well, she’s got to be careful with her schedule and try and choose some weaker tournaments’.
“But if she keeps the number of tournaments that she can compete in and stays healthy, I’m convinced that the results will follow.”
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