Upon landing in Ohio for the Cincinnati Open, Emma Raducanu encountered an unexpected surprise that left her bemused.
The British tennis star was unaware that tournament organisers had arranged a Cadillac Escalade for her personal use.
"I didn't know I had a car, so I landed, and they were like: 'Oh, you have a car,' and it's this massive Cadillac Escalade. So I'm like: 'This is like a bus'," Raducanu said.
Reuters
|Emma Raducanu admitted to being taken aback by a surprise gift upon arriving in the United States
The 30th seed's astonishment at the lavish hospitality highlighted the contrast between her expectations and the luxury treatment provided at the WTA 1000 event.
The 2021 US Open champion found herself grappling with the vehicle's substantial size whilst navigating Ohio's roads.
Her adjustment proved particularly challenging given the stark differences from British driving conditions.
"Obviously in England, we're used to driving small cars, small roads, so I was a bit tight. Wrong side of the road as well. But it's OK. I managed to get to the hotel," she explained candidly.
The British player has enlisted Francisco Roig as her new coach through to the conclusion of 2025.
Roig brings substantial credentials, having been part of Rafael Nadal's coaching staff between 2005 and 2022.
The appointment follows Raducanu's decision to separate from Mark Petchey, who couldn't commit to a permanent position due to his television work.
The pair began working together on a trial basis following her Wimbledon exit.
Raducanu said: "First impressions are it's going really well. We did a few days after Wimbledon together and I was really happy with how it went.
"I'm just so excited to have him on board, so much experience. I'm really looking forward to continuing."
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Sky Sports
|Emma Raducanu has enlisted Francisco Roig as her new coach
Raducanu received a first-round bye as the 30th seed and will face Olga Danilovic in the Round of 64 on 9 August.
The match represents her first competitive outing with Roig in her corner.
Following her Round of 32 exit to Amanda Anisimova at the Canadian Open, the 21-year-old arrives in Cincinnati seeking to rebuild momentum on hardcourts.
She hopes Roig's vast experience from his 17-year tenure with the 22-time Grand Slam champion will prove instrumental in her quest to recapture the form that brought her US Open glory in 2021.