Emma Raducanu made headlines during her thrilling three-set match against Aryna Sabalenka on Monday. The British tennis star showcased her ability to compete with the best players in the world, pushing Sabalenka to the limit before narrowly losing in a tense final set tiebreaker.
However, the match wasn’t without its controversies. A notable moment occurred when Raducanu approached her new coach, Francisco Roig, for a quick discussion after securing a game at 5-4 in the first set. Roig rose from his seat to engage more effectively with her, but the umpire, Miriam Bley, intervened, reminding Raducanu of the rules against player-coach communication during matches.
“Emma, you cannot actively approach him, and he cannot leave his position. You know that. You cannot have a conversation,” Bley stated.
Raducanu voiced her frustration, explaining that the music made it difficult for her to hear Roig. The umpire suggested that he simply speak louder.
“Okay, sorry, I didn’t know that. Can you ask someone to tell him? I can’t do it right now,” Raducanu, the British No. 1, responded.
Despite the setback, Raducanu’s performance reinforced her status as a rising star in women’s tennis, demonstrating her resilience and competitive spirit on the court.
