"We started to negotiate over things that were trivial and insignificant" - Dimitry Tursunov speaks on why he stopped coaching Emma Raducanu
WTA
Former Russian tennis player and coach Dimitry Tursunov has revealed why he parted ways with Emma Raducanu. Tursunov stated that he was not happy with the contract negotiations, which led to him ending their professional relationship.
Raducanu became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam singles title at the 2021 US Open. She won the grand Slam title by defeating Canadian tennis player Leylah Fernandez. Tursunov was appointed on a trial basis as Raducanu's coach ahead of the 2022 US Open for her title-defending campaign.
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In a recent conversation with Craig Shapiro, the 40-year-old confessed that he was the one who brought the coaching negotiations to a close. He said that the negotiations dragged on for much too long and that his demands were ignored.
"I stopped the negotiations. I felt like the negotiations went too long," Tursunov revealed on a recent episode of 'The Craig Shapiro Tennis Podcast. "Too far that wasn’t a solid commitment, not on the terms that I liked. We started to negotiate over things that were so trivial and insignificant in my mind that it wouldn’t have worked. I didn’t feel secure enough."
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Tursunov was dissatisfied with the conversation, believing that minor details of the coaching contract were taking precedence.
"I didn’t feel like it’s a serious set up I didn’t feel like it’s gonna be a long-term relationship," Tursunov revealed. "I felt like it at any point it can break over something insignificant and I could have been wrong maybe I had PTSD, you know, from previous relationships."
The 20-year-old Brit has a history of changing coaches on multiple occasions in her brief career. Former coaches who have left her include Andrew Richardson, Jeremy Bates, Nigel Sears, and Torben Beltz.
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- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??
mandoist08-11-2026 - Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Having spent weeks and weeks through the years on tour, I can say with confidence that Conchita was (is) one of the very few who realize the surprising level of maturity (and sometimes lack of) which Mirra seems to have developed in such a demanding adult world of Pro-Tennis. While at the same time reminding herself (Conchita, that is) that Mirra is still young and developing mentally and physically. The general public may forget at times, or not at all realize, these modern era young athletes do not have a 'normal' Youth. It's a major sacrifice, among countless sacrifices, these athletes must make. People who blow-off that fact are ignorant and unfair when they blurt out, "They choose fame so they have to put up with the intrusions on their lives". No, they do not.
mandoist05-11-2026 - Okay... someone with a camera was EAVESDROPPING on a private conversation. Shouldn't that be the point of discussion here? Regardless of the sensationalist crap by media, Pegula (and anyone) has a right to an opinion. There used to be an expectation that private conversations were respected, regardless of 'stardom' and whatever other defensive excuses media tries to shove in our faces. Boo-hoo if feelings are hurt. BTW: Having been employed at various tourney venues, etc., I can't tell you how nasty and offensive players can be when discussing their opponents and colleagues... in "private". Well, I could, but won't. I also challenge anyone to deny what Jessica said is false.
mandoist05-11-2026 - Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026
- After a couple decades traveling to IIHF tourneys overseas... our family is done with it... and I will not be the only one!! Bad enough the NHL allows Ovachenko (a Putin Supporter and Campaigner) to live and play in the USA. Let's not forget the STATE SPONSORED RUSSIAN DOPING PROGRAMS still in effect today.
mandoist31-10-2026









