Tursunov tune changes with appointment to Team Emma

Russian Dmitry Tursunov has done an abrupt about-face with his appointment as the latest coach of Emma Raducanu.

The US-based former player whose travel possibilities remain limited by his inconvenient passport was hired as mentor to the reigning US Open champion whose career has failed to gain massive traction since her run to the 2021 title from a qualifying start.

The Briton’s parents, who run her show, have a reputation for hiring and firing coaches on a regular basis, a handicap which only nine months ago had left the 39-year-old Tursunov perplexed.

In November, he said:  “She has entered a spiral of dismissal of all the people that have taken her to the elite.

“If she called me now to work with her, I would tremble with fear because I would feel that she can fire me anytime”. 

Tursunov is due to try his luck with Raducanu next week at the Washington WTA hardcourt event.

His previous coaching clients have included current No. 2 Anett Kontaveit and past No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka.