Emma Raducanu is taking her time to search for a new permanent coach following her recent split with coach Francisco Roig. This decision marks the ninth coaching change for Raducanu and the seventh full-time coach she has parted ways with in her career. Roig, who previously collaborated with Rafael Nadal for 18 years, and Raducanu disagreed on her playing style, leading to their separation after the Australian Open.
Since January, Raducanu has been collaborating with her hitting partner, Alexis Canter, and is content with the current coaching arrangement as she prepares for the Indian Wells tournament in California, where she will compete against Anastasia Zakharova in the initial round.
Although Raducanu has worked with several coaches in the past, including Nigel Sears, Andrew Richardson, Torben Beltz, Dmitry Tursunov, Sebastian Sachs, Nick Cavaday, Vladimir Platenik, and Mark Petchey, she remains closely connected with Petchey on a daily basis. However, Petchey’s broadcasting commitments limit his availability to work with Raducanu full-time.
Expressing her current approach, Raducanu emphasized the importance of reconnecting with her instincts and playing style. She highlighted the challenge of finding a coach who aligns perfectly with her needs and preferences, expressing openness to exploring different coaching options while valuing the autonomy to follow her natural playing instincts.
Reflecting on her experience with Petchey during Wimbledon last summer, Raducanu praised his impact on her development both on and off the court. She shared how their conversations during a hike in L.A. had a profound effect on her self-reflection and growth.
Raducanu’s strategic approach to coaching reflects her desire for a coaching dynamic that allows her to maintain her individual style of play while benefiting from valuable guidance and support.