Emma Raducanu returned to the court with purpose this week, delivering a dominant performance in her opening-round match at the Transylvania Open. Playing her first match since parting ways with coach Francisco Roig, the 23-year-old Brit looked sharp and focused as she rolled past Belgium’s Greet Minnen, 6-0, 6-4.
This wasn’t just a routine win-it was a statement. After a rocky start to the season, including a second-round exit at the Australian Open and a brief stint at the United Cup, Raducanu looked like a player ready to reset and reassert herself. And she did it in style, needing just 25 minutes to bagel Minnen in the first set.
Raducanu came into the match with Alexis Canter-former British pro and longtime hitting partner-in her corner as coach, and the chemistry seemed to click immediately. She played with a freedom and confidence that’s been elusive in recent months, especially during her injury-riddled 2025 campaign.
Her aggressive baseline play and clean ball-striking were on full display, especially in that opening set, where she dictated every rally and left Minnen scrambling. The second set was tighter, with the Belgian showing more resistance, but Raducanu broke early and never relinquished control. It was a mature, efficient performance that sets her up for a second-round clash against Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan.
After the match, Raducanu spoke with the poise of a player who knows what she’s building toward. “Very happy today,” she said.
“I think I played a great match from the beginning. I was super aggressive and the crowd from the minute I walked out was incredible.”
She also acknowledged the challenges of facing Minnen, a player known for her ability to start points strong. “I played a really tricky opponent in Greet, who really starts the point well, so I knew I had to do the same and pleased that I stayed with it.”
This win in Cluj-Napoca-her first appearance there in five years-comes at a pivotal moment in Raducanu’s career. Since her breakout US Open title in 2021, she’s struggled to find the right team around her. The coaching carousel has been well-documented, and the search for stability continues.
In fact, her coaching history reads like a who's who of tennis minds. From Nigel Sears and Andrew Richardson to Torben Beltz and Dmitry Tursunov, Raducanu has worked with nine different coaches in under five years. Each brought something different to the table-Richardson helped guide her to that magical run in New York, while Roig, Nadal’s former coach, offered tactical clarity before their recent split.
But the constant turnover has also raised questions about what exactly Raducanu is looking for. Some see it as indecision; others view it as a young athlete still figuring out what works best for her. One thing’s clear: she’s not afraid to make bold changes in pursuit of growth.
“Finding the right balance is hard,” one observer noted. And that’s true-not just in terms of coaching, but in managing expectations, physical health, and the intense spotlight that’s followed her since 2021. But if her performance in Romania is any indication, she’s trending in the right direction.
Following the Transylvania Open, Raducanu is set to head to the Middle East for back-to-back WTA 1000 events in Doha and Dubai, before moving on to Indian Wells and Miami in March. It’s a busy stretch, and a crucial one as she looks to build momentum and climb back toward the top of the women’s game.
And while the spotlight will always be there, performances like this remind us why it followed her in the first place. When Raducanu is locked in, she’s a force.
Elsewhere on the Tour: Kartal Keeps Rolling in Abu Dhabi
It’s been a strong week for British tennis, and Sonay Kartal is doing her part. The 22-year-old continued her impressive run at the Abu Dhabi Open, advancing to the round of 16 with a 6-3, 7-6 (10-8) win over Cristina Bucsa.
Kartal, who battled through two rounds of qualifying to reach the main draw, had a 5-2 lead in the second set before Bucsa mounted a comeback to force a tiebreak. But Kartal held her nerve, closing it out in a tight finish to keep her momentum going.
She now faces a tough test against top seed Belinda Bencic on Tuesday. But if this week is any indication, Kartal’s ready to take her shot.