Emma Raducanu has ended her trial with coach Vladimir Platenik after just one match, intensifying her search for a permanent mentor. The British number two secured her first professional victory at the Miami Open with a decisive 6-2, 6-1 win over Japanese wildcard Sayaka Ishii on March 19, 2025. However, Platenik's absence from her box marked a significant turning point in their brief partnership.
Raducanu's representatives confirmed that after two weeks of working with Platenik, the decision to part ways was mutual. "Emma and Vlado have parted ways. Emma has utmost respect for Vlado and the work they started, but it wasn't quite heading in the right direction," they stated. This came after a disappointing first-round exit at the Indian Wells tournament, where Raducanu lost to Moyuka Uchijima—her first match since a stalking incident during the Dubai Open.
The quick end to their trial raises questions about Raducanu’s coaching journey since capturing the U.S. Open title in 2021. Since that historic win at just 18, where she made headlines as the first British woman to claim a major title since Virginia Wade in 1977, she has been searching for stability and continuity in her coaching staff.
Having not claimed a singles title since her remarkable Grand Slam victory, Raducanu is keen to maximize her potential amid mounting expectations. Despite the setback with Platenik, she managed to reflect on her performance against Ishii positively: “I’m very pleased to have got through that, it’s not easy to play someone in the first round who’s younger, dangerous and in good form,” she said post-match. “I’m really proud of how I competed today; it hasn’t been easy for me coming into this but I think I put out a really good performance.”
Raducanu’s win at the Miami Open marks her first victory at the tournament, a significant milestone considering her previous hardships. Prior to this, she had struggled to find her rhythm, demonstrated by her defeat at Indian Wells earlier in March 2025. In that context, her convincing win over Ishii is especially noteworthy. The Japanese player, ranked 188th in the world, put up a fight as she leveled the match at 2-2 before Raducanu took control and won four straight games.
Looking ahead, she faces American eighth seed Emma Navarro in the second round. Recognizing the challenge posed by Navarro, Raducanu expressed her intent to bring her best to the court: “It’s going to be an extremely challenging match. I think it will be a match where she’s probably in better form, so I think I can go out and try and express myself and compete for every point.”
Raducanu remains determined to score more victories while navigating the uncertainties that accompany her career. With a new but uncertain coaching approach, she is also encouraged by support from friends like Jane O’Donoghue, who was present in her coaching box alongside LTA coach Colin Beecher during the match against Ishii. O’Donoghue has previously worked with Raducanu informally, which adds a layer of comfort.
As she continues her quest for another Grand Slam title and with the specter of past events—such as the trauma from the stalker incident at the Dubai Open—fresh in her mind, Raducanu’s mental resilience will be key. Andrew Castle, a former Great Britain number one, highlighted this aspect, suggesting that her route back to elite performance hinges on a carefree mindset as it was during her victorious U.S. Open run.
“Not if the brain is overanalyzing everything,” Castle commented on Raducanu’s mental state, emphasizing the importance of a relaxed approach to the game that she exhibited in 2021. This perspective is vital for Raducanu as she seeks to cultivate a mindset that supports her athletic gifts while navigating the complexities of fame.
Raducanu, competing in the high-stakes environment of the WTA, is certainly under the spotlight as she works to regain her footing. With so many eyes on her, and a wave of expectation surrounding her career, maintaining her focus will be paramount. Navigating the emotional challenges that come with stardom, including the pressures stemming from the stalking incident, adds another layer of difficulty.
Amid this backdrop of personal and professional challenges, the tennis world looks forward to seeing if Raducanu can build on her opening round victory and find the right support that can help her achieve her ambitions. As she prepares to pursue victories in Miami, fans and analysts alike are entwined in hope—for both her success and her well-being. The path ahead may be uncertain, but with her talent, determination, and the right guidance, the British star could very well rise to new heights in her career.
