'Red flags that could not be ignored'

Dmitry Tursunov admitted he stopped coaching Emma Raducanu because of ‘red flags’.

The Russian began working with the former US Open winner shortly after her early exit from Wimbledon this summer.

Getty 3 Raducanu and Tursunov had a few weeks together as a trial

Advertisement

That relationship was only a brief one as they announced they had parted ways earlier in October.

It left the 19-year-old searching for a fifth coach in the space of just 15 months.

Tursunov, who started the year coaching Anett Kontaveit, is now working with Olympic gold medal winner Belinda Bencic.

Advertisement

He has now spoken out on what has happened and wanted to set the record straight that it was not so he could take the role with Bencic.

“No, I didn’t. It’s absolutely not true,” explained Tursunov to tennis majors.com.

“I was walking away from Emma regardless of whether there was another [player] available or not. We didn’t agree on the terms and there were some red flags that just couldn’t be ignored.

Getty 3 Raducanu has struggled since her US Open win last year

Advertisement

Most read in Sport Exchange 'A brutal fall from grace' - Hearn responds to Jordan labelling him a 'coward' Calamity Hearn describes Wilder vs Helenius PPV buys as a 'financial disaster' How much? Jake Paul net worth compared to Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Floyd Mayweather jacked Logan Paul looks ripped ahead of WWE Crown Jewel title fight against Roman Reigns MISTAKE Silva 'misspoke' and insists he was NOT knocked out twice ahead of Jake Paul fight update Benn releases statement after 'giving up' licence and misconduct allegations upheld

Advertisement

“So that’s why it’s a little frustrating to read things like that… I wasn’t hopping from one player to another, I wouldn’t do that.”

He added: “Our trial period was over at the US Open but I stuck around, trying to see if there was going to be a way to impress the team (he laughs). I really wanted to make it work.”

Tursunov also had plenty of good things to says about the British number one, who was thrust into the spotlight after sensationally winning the US Open in 2021.

GETTY 3 Raducanu shocked the world in September 2021

Advertisement

He continued: “First of all, she’s absolutely great, she’s a hard worker and she doesn’t think or act like she’s a superstar. She is hungry to improve and is obsessed with tennis. I think it’s quite a rare combination.

“So I really loved working with her, and I really wanted to make it work. It was a very difficult decision for me to walk away from a player that I like and respect.”

Click here to read article