“We have before us an example of Russophobia”: cooperation between Radukan and Tursunov was condemned in the UK Parliament

“The Kremlin will present this as a PR achievement”

The fact that Emma Radukanu is training under the guidance of Dmitry Tursunov became known at the end of July.

This news naturally aroused great interest in the world of tennis.

The Russian in recent years has established himself as one of the most successful coaches, while the young talented Briton has been training since April without a permanent personal mentor and needed a shake-up.

It is reported that they began working together in Washington, where the WTA 250 tournament starts on August 1. According to media reports, the parties agreed on a trial period, and if everything suits them, the native of Moscow will continue to train the girl during a series of North American competitions.

However, in the homeland of the athlete, not everyone was satisfied with her choice.

So, one of the most popular publications in the country, The Telegraph, released detailed material about Radukan and gave the floor to two members of the British Parliament at once, who condemned Emma's decision.

For example, Chris Bryant, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Russia, expressed concern that in Moscow Tursunov's work with a local star would be presented in a favorable light.

“The Kremlin will present this as a PR achievement and as an indication that the UK does not really care about what is happening in Ukraine, so it will be a great pity if Emma goes for it.

I urge her to think again…,” said Bryant.

In turn, his colleague Julian Knight, chairman of the special commission on digital technologies, culture, media and sports, went even further and advised the British Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to intervene in this matter.

“When a Russian coaches a UK number one rising star, it really bugs... Need to have a conversation with Tursunov about his stance on the invasion... Hopefully the LTA will show some leadership here and be able to advise Emma on how it’s better to do it, ”said the deputy.

“I need a coach who is able to be around”

At the same time, in early June, the domestic specialist was forced to stop cooperation with the second racket of the planet, Anette Kontaveit.

Finally, he thanked her for her joint work and wished her success in her future career.

The Estonian herself also warmly said goodbye to the mentor and called visa problems the reason for their separation.

According to the athlete, in March he could not go with her to the United States, and with the start of a series of grassy tournaments, to the UK, including Wimbledon.

“... I am very grateful to him.

The reason lies in the fact that since Dmitry has a Russian passport, it is now very difficult for him to get visas, he cannot travel with me to many tournaments.

I still feel that I need a coach who is able to be around and who does not have such practical difficulties, ”Err.ee quotes the tennis player.

In less than a year, under Tursunov's leadership, she has made impressive progress.

At the end of 2020, the Estonian was not even in the top 20.

But Dmitry's help gave instant results.

Last August, Kontaveit won the first WTA tournament in Cleveland since 2017.

Victories in Ostrava, Moscow and Romania followed in autumn.

Thus Anette excelled in four competitions in three months.

In 2022, the Estonian achieved success only in St. Petersburg, but reached the final in Mexico City, Qatar and Hamburg.

Such an impressive performance allowed her to rise to the second line of the world ranking.

At the moment, she is second only to the invincible Ida Sventek.

Before Kontaveit, the Russian specialist achieved similar success with Arina Sobolenko.

He agreed to work with a young Belarusian in 2018 and helped her break through to the top level.

Under his leadership, she won five WTA tournaments in singles, including the women's final.

In 2020, when the athlete decided to switch to another specialist, she was already in the top 5.

"Questions about nationality are irrelevant here"

According to RT experts, the mentor is able to help 19-year-old Radukan also reach a new level, which, after last year's sensational victory at the US Open, is experiencing a recession, regularly changes coaches and cannot cope with numerous injuries.

So, Olympic champion Elena Vesnina believes that the specialist is well acquainted with the specifics of women's tennis and, since he himself performed at a high level, he knows many nuances.

“She has chosen a good person who can help her start progressing again.

Indeed, after winning the US Open, Emma's results began to decline.

No wonder she is looking for different options.

Understand, there are not many really strong coaches in the world of tennis.

Tursunov, of course, is one of them ... I hope no one will forbid the Englishwoman to work with a mentor, despite his nationality, ”Vesnina emphasized.

In turn, Olga Morozova, a former mentor of Elena Dementieva, called her colleague an ideal option for an Englishwoman, since he, like no one else, knows how to give a new impetus to athletes who have fallen into a crisis.

“Remember both Sobolenko and Kontaveit, whom he brought to a very high level.

Therefore, questions about his nationality are inappropriate here.

Now it is important that Emma needs someone who will cheer her up and make her play at the level corresponding to the winner of the US Open.

I have known Tursunov for a long time, I like his approach.

He is a very pleasant person with a great sense of humor and at the same time strict.

I hope he will help her, ”the specialist expressed her opinion.

At the same time, experts strongly condemned the attempts of British parliamentarians to dictate their opinion to the tennis player.

Morozova, who lives in London, admitted that she had not heard such discussions, and connected the incident with the desire of individual journalists to stand out.

“Instead of looking at the essence of the matter, writing that Tursunov is an excellent coach who is able to return the tennis player to the right track, some kind of gossip begins.

Why this is necessary, I do not understand.

Radukan is ahead of the US Open, where she can lose a lot of points, ”the coach complained.

Vesnina, on the other hand, believes that a hypothetical ban on an Englishwoman from working with a Russian specialist can open a Pandora's box, since tennis is an individual sport, and players always choose their own mentors, without being guided by outside advice.

Finally, honored coach Viktor Yanchuk called the deputies' statements political tricks.

He was even more surprised that in Foggy Albion there were generally claims against Tursunov, who had been living in the USA for a long time.

“It is important to understand that mentors and athletes in the world of tennis are united by quite specific connections.

Everything is purely individual here, and if they agreed from a professional point of view, you should not interfere in this.

And the fact that Tursunov is a Russian should not bother anyone at all ... Unfortunately, we have before us an example of Russophobia.

These are the tricks of people who have nothing to do with tennis.

I am in favor of not trying to mix sports and politics, ”the specialist emphasized.