Emma Raducanu makes key appointment after splitting up from boyfriend ahead of Nottingham Open
Emma Raducanu will be hoping to win the Nottingham Open this week
PA
Emma Raducanu has drafted in old confidante Jane O'Donoghue to help her prepare for this week's Nottingham Open.
However, it's unlikely to be a permanent arrangement with O'Donoghue stepping up at a time when her main coach, Nick Cavaday, is unwell.
Raducanu is currently preparing for the Nottingham Open amid her bid to play at Wimbledon this summer.
She enters the tournament this week with her personal life in the spotlight, having split from billionaire boyfriend Carlo Agostinelli.
Emma Raducanu will be hoping to win the Nottingham Open this week
PA
According to the Telegraph, Raducanu was watched by O'Donoghue and Lawn Tennis Association Mark Hilton at a practice session in Nottingham earlier this week.
She has been working with Cavaday, who previously aided her development when she was in school, for the past six months.
Cavaday was seen training with Raducanu as recently as last week.
Yet while he's still expected to travel to Nottingham, O'Donoghue will be helping Raducanu as well.
She was the LTA's national coach for women between 2009 and 2019, while also 'being part of Raducanu's support network' during those early days.
She now works for a subsection of the Credit Agricole/Santander banking empire.
O'Donoghue spent a week with Raducanu in Auckland at the start of the year, while also helping her at Wimbledon two years ago.
Raducanu recently pulled out of the French Open to focus on Wimbledon.
She's set to lock horns with Ena Shibahara, the world No 279 from Japan, on Tuesday.
And how Raducanu fares remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, the 21-year-old's recent decision to pull out of Wimbledon has raised eyebrows in some corners.
But Tim Henman has backed her decision and believes she's made the right call as she looks to rediscover her best form.
"If she wants to move her focus onto the grass already and continue to work on her fitness that’s her prerogative," he said.
"Sometimes we can read a bit too much into these things.
"She played some great clay court tennis at the Billie Jean King Cup and in Stuttgart but having said that I think grass will suit her game even more."
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Emma Raducanu recently split from billionaire boyfriend Carlo Agostinelli
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He added: "I don’t think it’s a question of over-prioritising.
"It’s just the fact that it’s their home event and Wimbledon is the most prestigious tournament in the world.
"Also, British players, because they have played on grass more than their foreign competitors, they do have a bit of an advantage."
Laura Robson agrees with Henman, with the former tennis star saying: "I wasn’t particularly surprised (by Raducanu’s withdrawal).
"Once she didn’t get a wildcard I think it’s an easy decision to give yourself the best possible preparation for the grass-court season.
Emma Raducanu has brought in Jane O'Donoghue ahead of this week's Nottingham Open
PA
"She’s now got an option to play a Challenger event in the second week of Paris and hopefully play every week from then on and get as many matches as possible.
"She has to be really careful because her body is still getting used to playing week after week.
"So to play in Paris and then rush on to a different surface… Grass can be tough on the legs, you’ve got to be sharp and an extra week of practice can make a big difference. It seems like a sensible decision to me."