Emma Raducanu, the British tennis player, will keep working with her Russian coach Dmitry Tursunov, despite an early exit from a Grand Slam in the United States. The decision to continue their coaching relationship was reported by Independent at the time, signaling a deliberate continuity in Raducanu’s training approach as she advances in the season.
In late August, Raducanu bowed out of the US Open in the first round, falling to Alizé Cornet of France with set scores of 6-3, 6-3. The setback came as part of a season marked by adjustments and a push to regain form after a recent coaching change, underlining the challenges young players sometimes face when transitioning to new training methods and strategic plans.
The collaboration between Raducanu and Tursunov began prior to Wimbledon in 2022. During that year’s tournament, Raducanu was eliminated in the second round after a tight 3-6, 3-6 defeat to Caroline Garcia of France. The pair’s ongoing relationship has been framed as part of a broader plan to blend Raducanu’s natural talent with Tursunov’s tactical insights, aiming to refine her game across all facets — from serve and return to movement and mental toughness.
From a world rankings perspective, Raducanu is positioned within the top tier of the Women’s Tennis Association, with the British player at a solid rank reflecting consistency, potential, and the ongoing development of her all-court game. In the women’s game, Iga Świątek from Poland holds the No. 1 spot, ahead of Anett Kontaveit from Estonia and Maria Sakkari from Greece, who round out the top three. Among the Russian players, Daria Kasatkina sits within the top 10, while Veronika Kudermetova and Ekaterina Alexandrova are also included among the top 30, highlighting the depth of talent in the sport today.
As the US Open progressed, only one Russian player remained featured in the singles draw: Karen Khachanov. The tournament week offered an opportunity to evaluate Khachanov’s form against top competition, as well as the broader performance of Russian players within the field. Observers and analysts noted Khachanov’s potential to challenge higher-seeded opponents, given his experience and prior results on hard courts.
Analysts and insiders have weighed in on Khachanov’s chances in the event, with former coach Andrei Olkhovsky expressing confidence in Khachanov’s ability to prevail against Nick Kyrgios in a high-stakes matchup. The commentary emphasized Khachanov’s consistency, competitive mindset, and the strategic advantage he can leverage when facing aggressive baseliners, underscoring the importance of mental composure and tactical discipline in grand-slam settings. This perspective reflected a broader sentiment around a Russian contingent capable of producing strong performances on the tour, even as the season unfolds with new coaching dynamics and evolving rivalries.