Emma Raducanu is recharging in style before the final push of the summer tennis season.
The British No. 1 recently took to social media to share a spontaneous trip to Martha’s Vineyard, soaking up some New England sun before returning to the court for the Cincinnati Open and, soon after, the US Open.
The 21-year-old, who has faced both success and setbacks on her road to reclaiming top form, treated herself to a 36-hour retreat to the popular island destination off the coast of Massachusetts.
In a lighthearted Instagram post filled with holiday snapshots, she captioned: “Ted’s on the vineyard – heard it here first. Spontaneous 36h New England summer fun time w [with] friends in MA.”
Known for its idyllic coastal charm, lighthouses, and scenic beach towns, Martha’s Vineyard has long been a favorite summer destination. Raducanu‘s brief escape gave her a chance to unwind with friends before the grind of the North American hard-court swing intensifies.
Fresh coaching, new doubles partnership, and high hopes for flushing meadows
Despite the serene backdrop of her holiday, Raducanu‘s tennis career is anything but calm. She’s entering a critical period of her 2024 season.
After a third-round loss to world No. 7 Amanda Anisimova in Montreal on August 2, she’s looking to rebound quickly in Cincinnati, her final WTA 1000 event before the US Open begins on August 25.
Behind the scenes, there are significant changes unfolding. Raducanu has brought on Francisco Roig, former longtime coach to Rafael Nadal, marking her eighth coaching partnership in a short but eventful career.
Roig, 57, was part of Nadal‘s team throughout all 22 of his Grand Slam victories and brings a wealth of experience to Raducanu‘s corner.
This coaching change follows the departure of Mark Petchey, who helped guide Raducanu since the Miami Open but couldn’t commit full-time due to broadcasting responsibilities.
Petchey acknowledged the limitations, stating: “We are very aware she needs a second coach to come on board and maybe just one coach, not me, as well.”
Raducanu is now banking on Roig‘s expertise to help her secure the wins needed to be seeded at the US Open, a crucial advantage in a tournament that once made her a household name.
One of the most exciting developments is her surprise doubles pairing with World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz.
The duo will play together in the US Open mixed doubles as wildcard entrants, with matches scheduled for August 19 and 20. The pairing has already created a buzz, given both players’ talent, charisma, and shared youthfulness.
Alcaraz revealed how the partnership came about, saying: “We will try to win. But obviously it’s going to be really, really fun.”
He added that he had approached Raducanu through their agents, and after some thought, she agreed. “I’m super excited about it. I think it’s going to be great. It was an amazing idea for the tournament,” he said after his Queen’s Club win.
With new energy on court, a new voice in her coaching team, and a bold new doubles experiment ahead, Emma Raducanu‘s journey this summer is anything but ordinary.
Whether her short island getaway proves to be the reset she needed remains to be seen, but one thing is certain, August promises to be a defining chapter in her tennis comeback.
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