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Emma Raducanu turns to Torben Beltz as new coach

German was a long-time mentor to former world number one Angelique Kerber

Emma Raducanu in action during last month’s Transylvania Open in Cluj, Romania. Photograph: PA Wire.

Tue Nov 9 2021 - 18:45

Emma Raducanu's new coach will be Angelique Kerber's long-time mentor Torben Beltz.

The US Open champion has been searching for a coach to guide her through her first full season on the WTA Tour next year since deciding not to extend a short-term partnership with Andrew Richardson following her stunning New York triumph.

That was a surprise to many within tennis but Raducanu highlighted the need to have someone experienced in the women’s game beside her and she will certainly have that in 44-year-old German Beltz.

Spaniard Esteban Carril was the only name that emerged publicly from a series of trials Raducanu held with coaches last month but a picture of Raducanu with Beltz and her agent Chris Helliar at a cafe in Orpington was posted on an Instagram fan page.

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Beltz was Kerber’s coach for a decade from her first steps on the professional tour, helping her reach the top 10 before they split for the first time in 2013.

But it was not long before they were reunited and Beltz was by Kerber's side for the best campaign of her career in 2016, when she won Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open and US Open, reached the Wimbledon final, claimed an Olympic silver medal and became world number one.

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