Serena Williams’ former coach Rick Macci has expressed his belief that Emma Raducanu is “100% a top 10 player” based on talent, while also highlighting the Brit’s high turnover of coaches.
Last week, Raducanu parted ways with coach Nick Cavaday following her run to the third round of the 2025 Australian Open.
The pair worked together when Raducanu was a child and renewed their collaboration last season, with the Brit returning to the top 100 of the WTA Rankings after missing much of 2023 due to injuries that required surgery.
The news of Cavaday’s departure came as a surprise as Raducanu had previously expressed her hope that the partnership would be long term, but the coach confirmed it was his decision to step down.
“I am very happy to have been able to work with Emma over the last 14 months,” said Cavaday.
“At this moment in time, it’s important for me to spend some more time at home and prioritise getting back to full health, which is hard to do with the extensive calendar.
“I am glad Emma is back to being established on tour now with a ranking inside the top 60, and I look forward to seeing what she does from here.”
Raducanu reached her career-high ranking of world No 10 in July 2022, the year after she won her only title to date at the 2021 US Open in a fairytale run as a qualifier.
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In a series of posts on X, Macci lauded Raducanu’s talent and claimed she can beat any player, but raised concerns over her lack of coaching stability.
“Emma is one hundred percent a top ten player,” the American wrote. “Emma is a great ball striker. Mentally, Emma has been there done that.
“Emma can beat anybody, anytime, anywhere including herself if she does not have the right proven voice and inner secret sauce.
“She is too talented and proven not to be one of best in the world. Unless you know what is inside the players head and if there is a burning desire, it is hard to speculate.
“She has more coaches the past four years than titles so maybe she should hire Emma to coach Emma.”
Macci added: “She needs the right quarterback that understands the the mental game and bulletproof confidence.
“She won a Grand Slam. She has been a top 10 player. She does not need a new travel coach/buddy. The right quarterback calling every play can get Raducanu back.”
Macci has worked with five players who achieved the world No 1 ranking in their careers: Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Jennifer Capriati and Andy Roddick. He also coached WTA Major champions Mary Pierce, Anastasia Myskina and Sofia Kenin.
In 2023, the 70-year-old revealed he was interested in coaching Raducanu.
“During a podcast [I] was discussing Emma Raducanu and helping her,” Macci posted on X.
“I talked to her agent and told him I can help her team but I am not a travel coach. I assist many players and coaches on both tours and if this young lady is mentally all in, I can help her win again and again.”
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