Martina Navratilova has sought to offer Emma Raducanu some crucial career advice that she must now take after impressing at Wimbledon.
Although it was only a run to the third round for the 22-year-old, it was the battling nature of her exit that left many surprised, as she pushed the world number one Aryna Sabalenka to the brink.
In both sets she led by a break, yet failed to convert. On another day, it could have been her who shocked the Belarusian rather than Amanda Anisimova in the semi-finals.
It marked yet another impressive showing for Emma Raducanu, who has become far more consistent both physically and in her performances since partnering with Mark Petchey.
Alas, the uncertainty surrounding his future has prompted Navratilova to issue some advice.
Martina Navratilova tells Emma Raducanu to sort out her coaching situation
Speaking to Sky Sports, the 18-time Grand Slam champion did not hold back in her assessment of what Raducanu must do next to consolidate after an impressive Wimbledon showing.
Seeking to provide the Brit with advice, Navratilova stated: “Commit to a year, if you like the person, if you know them and what they can bring to your game, then you need to really buy in and stick with it and make sure you’re doing your part as far as training, fitness, eating all of that.
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“She’s got the talent and she did play better tennis against Sabalenka. She’s going in the right direction now.
“She needs to stick with somebody longer because when you work with somebody, it takes a while for them to incorporate into their game and then get the results.
“When you start a new training regime, you don’t immediately go faster or get stronger. I just think she needs to really take charge of her life, make sure that she’s the one that’s making all the decisions for herself, and then stick with somebody.”
Why can’t Emma Raducanu keep Mark Petchey as her coach?
Since hiring Petchey in March, this was always bound to be a short-term relationship.
After all, despite having coached full-time in the past alongside players like Silvija Talaja and Andy Murray, more recently he has devoted his time to punditry.
With that in mind, he told the former British number one that they could only stay together until after Wimbledon, and now that time has come.
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Petchey explained why he couldn’t keep coaching Raducanu in greater detail recently, stating: “I think at the moment we are a bit more short-term. Our situation is a little fluid at the moment.
“I am going to help her this week as much as I can, I have some other commitments I can’t get out of. We are very aware she needs a second coach to come on board and maybe just one coach, not me, as well.”
So, with that in mind, Raducanu is now back to square one regarding her coaching position, an area that has plagued her for years until recently.