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Emma Raducanu says being a “loner” has helped her to discover a lot about herself after the US Open champion split with coach Torben Beltz last month.
The 19-year-old employed Beltz last November, but the German was only in her corner for five months.
Raducanu had turned to Beltz after splitting with Andrew Richardson, who helped her sensationally win a maiden grand slam at Flushing Meadows last year, and was previously coached by Nigel Sears.
The teenager says she is happy to go it alone as she prepares to face Bianca Andreescu in the first round of the Internazionali d’Italia.
She told reporters in Rome: “I’d describe myself as a loner.
“For the past year… I’ve had a lot of people around me a lot and very often. To be on my own is interesting because I’m kind of finding out a lot about myself, understanding what I need and what I don’t need.”
Raducanu was beaten by Anhelina Kalinina in the third round of the Madrid Open last week after being knocked out by number one Iga Swiatek at the quarter-final stage in Stuttgart.
The world number 12 is pleased with the progress she is making on clay.
“Clay is very new to me,” she added. “I definitely feel like I have been progressing with each week, improving, getting a better understanding of how to play points, when to stay in the point or when to stay aggressive.
“I don’t think I’m like the finished product at all. But, yeah, I’m heading in a good direction.”
