Emma Raducanu 'optimistic' to have new coach by Australian Open

Teenage tennis sensation Emma Raducanu surprised the sports world by winning the U.S. Open seemingly out of nowhere but then parted ways with coach Andrew Richardson because the British No. 1 wanted to work with somebody who had more experience dealing with the biggest events on the WTA Tour. 

Raducanu's search continues as she prepares to begin her Transylvania Open experience Tuesday versus Polona Hercog, but the 18-year-old who recently trialed with Esteban Carril, Johanna Konta's former coach, remains confident she'll find the right person before the Australian Open in January. 

"I think having a coach is great. But once again you are on your own on the court," Raducanu explained, per Sky Sports. "I don't think it is great to be dependent. You need to coach yourself. That is something I am learning. 

"Part of the experience I am having is being able to learn to coach myself. Sometimes it won't always work, like in Indian Wells, but in the long term if I keep doing that then I will be better in the situations in the future. I had a couple of trials this last week. I had a trial with Esteban. But I also had trials with others.

"I am feeling optimistic about trying to have something in place for the off-season and the Australian Open. No, I haven't decided on the coach. But things are moving forward."

Raducanu fell to Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells earlier this month, her first match since her historic victory in New York, and she later withdrew from the Kremlin Cup in Moscow as she planned to prepare for the Transylvania Open held in Romania, her father's home country.