April 26, (THEWILL) – After only five months together, Emma Raducanu and her coach, Torben Beltz, have called it quits.
The US Open winner hired the German at the close of last season, who is best known for coaching Angelique Kerber through her professional career, but it has been another short-lived romance.
In a statement, Raducanu said: “I want to thank Torben for his coaching, professionalism and dedication over last half a year. He has a huge heart and I have enjoyed our strong chemistry during the time together.
“I feel the best direction for my development is to transition to a new training model with the LTA supporting in the interim.”
Raducanu will now have to find a fourth coach in less than a year as a result of her choice. Following her spectacular victory in New York, Beltz was appointed after the US Open winner elected not to renew her short-term relationship with Andrew Richardson.
Richardson had previously trained the 19-year-old at Bromley Tennis Centre and was selected to accompany her to the US Open due to their acquaintance.
Another previous coach, Nigel Sears, oversaw her run to the fourth round at Wimbledon last year.
Raducanu stated after her legendary US Open victory that she needed a more experienced tutor going ahead, and her search led her to Beltz, with their relationship being confirmed at the end of November 2021.
Beltz had been Kerber’s long-time instructor for the past decade, but the 34-year-old had recently split relations with him.
Before they split for the first time in 2013, Beltz assisted Kerber with her initial steps on the professional tour, including her move into the top ten.
They reconnected in 2016, when Beltz was by Kerber’s side for the best season of her career, during which she won Grand Slam titles at the Australian and US Opens, advanced to the Wimbledon final, won an Olympic silver medal, and rose to the top of the global rankings.
Beltz and Raducanu split up again at the end of 2017, reconciling for a third time before finally parting ways ahead to Beltz’s time with Raducanu.
The Brit teenager had her greatest week since signing Beltz, with back-to-back clay victories at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart and a promising performance in a loss to world number one IGA Swiatek.
Raducanu, who is ranked No. 11 in the world, has been changing coaches constantly since she was a junior.
In the immediate term, the 19-year-old will rely on the Lawn Tennis Association, as she begins her clay-court baptism in Madrid this week.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
