Emma Raducanu’s carousel is one of the most famous storylines during her first full year on tour. From a sudden separation in coaching to her unusual decision to work full-time without a man at the helm of her team, tennis is talked about.
But despite all the attention, a woman from her inner circle managed to get under the radar. Raducanu’s childhood coach Jane O’Donoghue has been described as the “invisible mentor” supporting her stratospheric rise, and now she is at the most important moment in the tennis calendar: Wimbledon.
Former LTA player and coach O’Donoghue appeared on the All-Club Aorangi Park training courts with Raducanu on Tuesday. She was with her all week as she prepared to return to the tournament that marked the beginning of her career just 12 months ago.
For those who know, this was no surprise. Former LTA colleague O’Donoghue and couples partner Claire Curran puts it simply: “Jane has never been on Emma’s team.”
A former player in the top 200, O’Donoghue spent a decade in the LTA between 2009 and 2019, mainly as head of women’s tennis. In this role, she helped guide Raducanu’s development, especially between the ages of 13 and 17, occasionally attending her training sessions in Bromley three times a week, and also traveling with her to youth competitions.
In 2019, she replaced her powerful tennis career with the city and now works for the Royal Bank of Canada, but remained a confidant of Raducanu. “She’s always been Emma’s invisible mentor, she’s a friend of the family,” says Quran. “So, although she hasn’t been on stage in the last three and a half years, she’s largely part of Emma’s inner circle.
Add Comment