Emma Raducanu's Australian Open campaign came to a disappointing conclusion in the early hours of Wednesday morning, as Anastasia Potapova dispatched the British star in straight sets during their second-round encounter at Melbourne Park.
The former US Open champion managed to force a tiebreak in the opening set but ultimately fell 7-6, 6-2 to her Russian opponent.
Sky Sports commentator Jonathan Overend has since levelled criticism at Raducanu's coach Francisco Roig, suggesting the Spaniard has created "confusion" within the 22-year-old's camp.
Roig has been guiding Raducanu since last year's Cincinnati Open, yet her Grand Slam difficulties persist.
Emma Raducanu was beaten by Anastasia Potapova at Melbourne Park
|REUTERS
Overend suggested that Raducanu appears constrained under her current coaching arrangement, observing that she seems to require greater autonomy.
"When reading between the lines, it sounds to me like there is confusion, confusion which can often come from coaches," the commentator remarked.
He was careful to acknowledge Roig's positive contributions, noting the evident progress made during their partnership.
However, Overend was forthright in his assessment of the underlying issue: "It sounds to me like Raducanu is feeling shackled, feeling like she needs to be freer and, ultimately, needs to be her own boss."
The commentator emphasised that whilst coaches bring valuable tactical and strategic expertise, measuring their true impact remains inherently difficult.
Coach Francisco Roig was criticised for 'confusing' Emma Raducanu
|PA
Raducanu's coaching carousel since turning professional has been notably turbulent.
Her initial partnership with Nigel Sears concluded following her breakthrough run to the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2021.
Andrew Richardson, who guided her to that remarkable US Open triumph, was not retained beyond that tournament.
Torben Beltz's tenure proved brief, lasting only until early 2022, whilst his successor Dimitri Tursunov cautioned about "red flags" if Raducanu heeded too many voices.
Sebastian Sachs departed after mere months, prompting a reunion with junior mentor Nick Cavaday, who subsequently withdrew owing to health concerns.
Mark Petchey then stepped in, overseeing some of her finest recent performances, though television commitments prevented a permanent arrangement.
Emma Raducanu has worked with Francisco Roig at three Grand Slam tournaments, only getting as far as the third round at Wimbledon and US Open
|REUTERS
Roig has now accompanied Raducanu through three consecutive Grand Slam tournaments, with exits in the third round at both Wimbledon and the US Open preceding this Melbourne setback.
Overend stopped short of advocating for another coaching change, instead urging Raducanu to rediscover the joy that characterised her finest moments.
"When you think of some of Raducanu's best moments in recent years, it's when she's smiling and enjoying herself on the practice and match courts, when she's feeling free and ambitious," he observed.
The commentator encouraged her to embrace the powerful, aggressive baseline game that delivered her Flushing Meadows glory: "Her comment about enjoying hitting the ball hard and fast into the corners, how she won the US Open.
"I'd say go for it, Emma, enjoy it."