Emma Raducanu has expressed that she is not in a hurry to secure a new long-term coach following her recent split with another coach earlier this year. Raducanu ended her partnership with Francisco Roig after the Australian Open and has adopted a different coaching approach.
Roig marked the ninth coach and seventh full-time official coach to be let go by Raducanu in her career. The 2021 US Open champion decided to part ways with Roig, who had a long tenure working with Rafael Nadal, due to disagreements on her playing style.
Since January, Raducanu has been collaborating with her hitting partner Alexis Canter and is content with the current setup as she prepares for the Indian Wells tournament in California, where she is set to compete against Anastasia Zakharova in the opening round.
Although Raducanu has previously worked with a list of coaches including Nigel Sears, Andrew Richardson, Torben Beltz, Dmitry Tursunov, Sebastian Sachs, Nick Cavaday, Vladimir Platenik, Mark Petchey, and Roig, she is presently primarily working with Petchey on a daily basis. However, Petchey, who is 55 years old, cannot commit full-time due to his broadcasting responsibilities with the Tennis Channel.
Raducanu shared her perspective on her coaching situation, stating that she is focusing on rediscovering her natural playing style and instincts. She emphasized the importance of finding a coach who aligns well with her approach rather than feeling pressured to stick with someone who may not be the right fit.
Praising Petchey’s influence, Raducanu highlighted his support and mentorship after their work together at Wimbledon last summer. She expressed her appreciation for his guidance both on and off the court, emphasizing the valuable conversations they had during their time together.
Raducanu’s approach reflects her desire to maintain an open mind regarding coaching while prioritizing a harmonious coaching relationship that allows her to stay true to her playing style and instincts.