In an intriguing prospect, tennis sensations Coco Gauff and Emma Raducanu recently shared who they would pick from their WTA competitors as future coaches. This comes on the heels of the surprising news that tennis titan Novak Djokovic would join forces with former rival, Andy Murray in 2025.
Coco Gauff, during the WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai, was asked if she would ever consider such an arrangement. Her response was affirmative, naming Barbora Krejcikova, the reigning Wimbledon champion, as her pick. Gauff, a 2023 US Open champion herself, sees immense value in Krejcikova’s understanding of the game.
“She’s someone that knows the game and is very smart. She’s always at the matches, watching them live. I feel like she would make a solid coach,” Gauff expressed to Reem Abulleil of Arab News. Gauff’s respect for Krejcikova’s tactical acumen and match-preparation comes from her own first-hand experience, having squared off against the Czech player twice and coming up short both times.
Meanwhile, 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu is all praises for Ons Jabeur, the 30-year-old Tunisian player. The 22-year-old British star would be more than happy to have Jabeur in her corner someday. Raducanu is not only a fan of Jabeur’s on-court skills but also her off-court persona.
“I would want Ons Jabeur to coach me because I think she has an amazing energy,” Raducanu shared. “She’s a really caring and generous person, funny but has a great eye for the game. She’s pretty tactical as well with the way she plays and has a lot at her disposal. So maybe one day, Ons.”
In the past, Raducanu has acknowledged Jabeur’s support during challenging times in her career, particularly when she faced intense criticism. This camaraderie and mutual respect among the WTA stars, even as they compete fiercely on the court, is a testament to the spirit of the game. It also opens up fascinating possibilities for future collaborations that could further enrich the world of women’s tennis.