Emma Raducanu has reunited with her childhood coach Nick Cavaday as the former US Open champion prepares for her first grand slam appearance in a year.
Raducanu’s last major outing came at the most recent edition of the Australian Open last January, when she was beaten by Coco Gauff in the second round.
The 21-year-old missed most of 2023 after undergoing ankle and wrist surgeries last May, in a bid to rectify the long-running injury problems which have hampered her since she stunned the world by winning the US Open as a teenager in 2021.
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Raducanu has worked with multiple coaches since turning professional, using Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) coaches upon her return to the practice courts after parting ways with Sebastian Sachs last year.
Cavaday, a former head coach of the LTA’s Loughborough Academy, coached Raducanu during her junior years, and they have now reunited ahead of her entry into the main draw at the year’s first major.
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Raducanu dropped as low as 301st in the world rankings during her injury lay-off but is able to skip qualifying for the Melbourne Park event after entering with a protected ranking of 103, with the withdrawals of several players handing her a spot in the main draw.
The Brit returned to competitive action at the Auckland Classic last week, taking eventual runner-up Elina Svitolina to three sets but suffering a 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 defeat in the second round.
The Australian Open begins on Sunday, with the women’s singles final being held on Saturday, January 27.
On Tuesday, Raducanu will continue her preparations by facing four-time grand slam champion Naomi Osaka in the first of a series of charity matches to take place on Rod Laver Arena this week.
