Emma Raducanu turns to fifth new coach in 18-month span as she looks ahead to 2023

The 2021 US Open champion has been criticised for constantly changing her lead coach, but the most recent change was not her own decision after Russian Dmitry Tursunov confirmed he opted to end his partnership with the British star after this year's US Open.

"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," he told tennismajors.com.

"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.

"She's absolutely great, she's a hard worker and she doesn't think or act like she's a superstar … It was a very difficult decision for me to walk away from a player that I like and respect."

"In my opinion, she's minimum a one-year project but I would say that she's probably a two-and-a-half-year project to be on the safe side.

"Of course, it's hard to say that and it's hard for people to understand how it is possible because she already won the US Open.

"But, in my opinion, her game is very raw, and I think in many ways it could use a lot of improvement."

Now it has been confirmed that Raducanu is working with Sebastian Sachs as she prepares to make her return to action in an exhibition event in Dubai.

Sachs, 30, is one of the youngest coaching talents in the game and has worked with Belinda Bencic and Victoria Azarenka.

Raducanu is back on court after recovering from a wrist problem that cut short her 2022 season, with her ambitions high heading into the first Grand Slam of the year at the Australian Open.

"For next season I'm aiming to start again and try to learn from the lessons of last year," Raducanu said.

"I don't think it will necessarily be smooth-sailing but I'll be more prepared and have a better idea of what to expect at each event.

"I think I've put in good preparation, so I'm looking forward to seeing how that holds me for the next year.

"For me now it's all about increasing my hours on the court because that is something I am quite light on. Physically, though I am in a better place.

"Getting a sense of competition and being able to have a match before the new season starts is really important and I'll be able to improve from there and see where I am competitively," she said.

"It's been a while since the last tournament, so just putting more time on the tennis court. I'm looking forward to playing this event."

Raducanu saw here WTA ranking plummet after she struggled to back-up her US Open win during her first full season on the WTA Tour.

Yet a fit and firing Raducanu will be a player to watch as the tennis roadshow gets up and running again next month.