Serena Williams' former coach criticises Emma Raducanu's mental strength

Raducanu fell to a 6-3, 7-5 loss to world No 26 Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round of the WTA 1000 event in Doha on Sunday. She was competing at the Qatar Open as a wildcard.

The world No 60's latest defeat extended her losing streak to four matches and took her record in 2025 to 2-4.

The 22-year-old started her year with straight-set wins against Alexandrova and Amanda Anisimova in the opening two rounds of the Australian Open. She was then crushed by Iga Swiatek in the third round at Melbourne Park.

Since her Australian Open campaign, Raducanu lost to Cristina Bucsa in three sets in the first round of the Singapore Open and Marketa Vondrousova in her opening match at the Abu Dhabi Open, before her Doha exit.

Macci, who frequently shares his thoughts on Raducanu on X, has identified the 2021 US Open winner's mentality as the difference between success and failure for her.

"The difference between winning/losing/success/failure is a matter of inches. With Emma it is from ear to ear," he wrote.

The 70-year-old American coach also suggested Raducanu could benefit the help of a world class coach.

"World class coaching is when to say it," Macci added in another post. "How to say it. Why to say it. How loud to say it. And the feel of taking the temperature.

"BUT most of all the message has to be sprinkled with positivity and belief to add layers of confidence that flows into courage. @EmmaRaducanu."

Macci has worked with five players who achieved the world No 1 ranking in their careers: Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Jennifer Capriati and Andy Roddick. He also coached WTA Major champions Mary Pierce, Anastasia Myskina and Sofia Kenin.

In 2023, the Macci divulged that he was interested in coaching Raducanu.

"During a podcast [I] was discussing Emma Raducanu and helping her," he tweeted.

"I talked to her agent and told him I can help her team but I am not a travel coach. I assist many players and coaches on both tours and if this young lady is mentally all in, I can help her win again and again."

Raducanu is currently without a coach after Nick Cavaday left her team following her exit from the Australian Open.

The pair worked together when Raducanu was a child and renewed their collaboration last season, with the former world No 10 returning to the top 100 after missing much of 2023 due to injuries that required surgery. 

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