Emma Raducanu not ‘actively looking for coach’ ahead of Indian Wells after ‘very difficult’ spell due to virus
By Marko Tankosic
SME News Balkan. British No. 1 Emma Raducanu is preparing for a crucial return to action at Indian Wells in March after describing her recent Middle East swing as “very difficult”.
The 2021 US Open champion endured a challenging February, retiring in the first round in Qatar before suffering an opening-round defeat in Dubai. Raducanu has since revealed she was battling the after-effects of a virus that significantly impacted her performances.
Illness Disrupts Momentum After Cluj Final
Raducanu began the month on a high by reaching the final of the Transylvania Open in Cluj — her first WTA final since her historic triumph at the US Open in 2021.
However, she admitted that she picked up a virus during that tournament and has struggled with lingering symptoms for several weeks.
“In Cluj, I picked up a virus at the start of the tournament,” Raducanu said. “The after-effects lasted for the last three weeks. The Middle East trip was very difficult for me.”
Despite the setback, the world No. 25 is confident she will regain full fitness ahead of Indian Wells, which begins on March 4.
Not Actively Searching for a New Coach
Raducanu is also entering the North American swing without a full-time coach following her split from Francisco Roig after the Australian Open.
Roig, who previously worked with Rafael Nadal for nearly two decades, joined Raducanu’s team last summer. While their partnership ended earlier this year, Raducanu maintains there is no urgency to appoint a replacement.
“Right now I wouldn’t say I’m actively looking for a coach,” she explained. “I know the drills I need to be doing and I want to focus on repetition and key fundamentals.”
Former British professional Alexis Canter will support her during Indian Wells and Miami.
Resilience Key to Long-Term Ambitions
Since her remarkable run to the US Open title as a qualifier — without dropping a set — Raducanu has faced injuries and inconsistency. She has not lifted another WTA trophy, but insists resilience remains her biggest strength.
“Whatever challenge comes my way, I can fall down seven times, but I’ll get up eight,” she said.
With Indian Wells approaching, Raducanu sees the prestigious WTA 1000 event as an opportunity to reset both physically and mentally. She was eliminated in the first round there last year and will be determined to improve on that result.
Indian Wells 2026: A Crucial Test
Seeded inside the top 32, Raducanu avoids facing another seed in the opening round — a potential boost as she attempts to rebuild momentum early in the season.
After a testing Middle East campaign, Indian Wells could mark the turning point in her 2026 season. Fully fit and embracing a more aggressive style of play, Raducanu now aims to translate resilience into results on one of the biggest stages outside the Grand Slams.
