Emma Raducanu results spark ‘overreaction on steroids’, says Serena Williams’ former coach

Legendary tennis coach Rick Macci has defended Emma Raducanu as he proclaimed that the Brit’s results are met with “overreaction on steroids.”

Macci, a former coach of tennis icon Serena Williams, urged Raducanu to “think out of the box” by bringing in a consultant to help with the biomechanics of her serve.

Raducanu was beaten 6-3, 6-4 by Marketa Vondrousova in the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Open — a WTA 500 event where she was competing as a wildcard.

It was the 22-year-old’s third consecutive defeat after losses to Cristina Bucsa in the first round of the Singapore Open and Iga Swiatek in the third round of the Australian Open.

The world No 56, who was forced to delay her start to the season due a back issue, has struggled with her serve in all of her five matches so far in 2025.

In a post on X, Macci expressed his belief that Raducanu will return to the top 10 in the world rankings if she is able to shift her mindset.

“Everybody will call balls and strikes on how Emma does. Overreaction on steroids,” the American wrote.

“When the person calling shots thinks out of the box with somebody who understands how to stimulate confidence, change perspective and mindset, the results and top ten is on the horizon.

“She has the talent. If not the sun will set the same way and lose sets.”

Macci added in another tweet: “A travel coach/buddy is the easy part for Emma. A different set of eyes to consult regarding the biomechanics of her serve which is now disconnected.

“A voice to motivate/frame it up like she has never heard and work with her coach. If you do the same you get the same. Think out of the box and even better build a new one.”

Following Raducanu’s exit from the Australian Open, Nick Cavaday left his role as the Brit’s coach to “prioritise getting back to full health.”

The pair worked together when Raducanu was a child and renewed their collaboration last season, with the 2021 US Open winner returning to the top 100 after missing much of 2023 due to injuries that required surgery.

In Abu Dhabi, Raducanu worked with Croatian coach Roman Kelecic, who she had previously worked with during her junior days.

The former world No 10 explained before the tournament that she would not be rushing into making a full-time coaching appointment.

“I think that’s why I haven’t necessarily jumped into something straight away, because I want to make sure it’s a right fit,” she told The National.

“And I think this period where I don’t necessarily have someone is going to tell me a lot. It’s going to teach me a lot, what I want, what I don’t want to look for in the next person.

“So I think I’m using this time period to just figure out what I really value. I’m not too sure yet right now. I haven’t come to any plans or decisions. So yeah, I’m just taking it, using the next couple weeks to see how I feel, and then make a decision.”