Emma Raducanu parted ways with coach Francisco Roig in January, according to multiple reports. The British player is not actively looking for a replacement coach and is happy to work alone at times, seeking advice from informal mentors, sources indicate. Raducanu has been working with Mark Petchey in Indian Wells, as confirmed by several media outlets.
According to BBC News, Emma Raducanu described her current approach as focusing on rediscovering her instincts and natural playing style after receiving extensive external input, and she prefers not to have a single coach due to scrutiny and pressure, opting instead to consult various individuals informally. Raducanu has worked with nine coaches since making her WTA Tour debut just under five years ago, multiple reports show. She was eliminated in the round of 32 at Indian Wells by Amanda Anisimova in straight sets, according to major media.
I mean, I don't know what's the record for a coach - maybe six months! So, I wish that she would really pick whoever she wants to be her coach carefully and then stick with it. Give it a year because it takes a while to be comfortable with making changes and being able to incorporate the person into your game. The biggest thing I see, I think she could get fitter, which the coach has nothing to do with, but you know, the coach can only do so much. Pick the right coach and stick with him or her, please!
The specific playing style disagreement that led to the split between Raducanu and Roig has not been disclosed, and it remains unclear whether she will formally hire Petchey or another coach in the near future. Raducanu is currently ranked 28th in the WTA rankings, as reported by major media. According to Daily Mirror - Main, Pat Cash described her potential to return to the top but expressed concerns over her coaching instability and fitness consistency.
The exact impact of Raducanu's coaching instability on her performance and ranking is not fully known, and it is uncertain how long she will continue her current approach of working without a full-time coach. According to Daily Express - Sport, Martina Navratilova described urging Raducanu to commit to one coach and stick with them for at least a year. Navratilova emphasized the need to pick carefully and give it time for changes to be incorporated into her game.
I don't see why not, the game has changed. She had a great run at the US Open [and played] unbelievable tennis. If you look at the players that are now coming through, they're big hard-hitting players. Emma isn't the biggest, strongest girl but she hits the ball really cleanly. You'd have to have a game plan. It's attrition in the modern game, it's being consistent day in day out, she hasn't been able to be consistent. She's been injured a lot but I do think she can come back. I have some doubts of course but she's got to stay fit, find the right solution. I think he's a knowledgeable guy so that might work but she can play, there's no doubts about it. But consistency is crucial for her to find somebody and stick with a plan.
This situation contrasts sharply with other top players' stable coaching arrangements. Alexander Zverev has been with the same coach, his father, for 28 years, multiple reports indicate. At a press conference, Zverev commented that Raducanu's coaching situation differs significantly from his long-term setup, noting she is working with Petchey and it is her decision to manage her team as she sees fit.
Aryna Sabalenka has had the same tight-knit team for years, with Anton Dubrov as her head coach since 2020, according to multiple reports. In a press conference, Sabalenka said she personally relies on team support and finds it difficult to imagine being without a coach, but she understands Raducanu's struggles to find the right fit and believes taking time to choose carefully could be beneficial, though she expects Raducanu will eventually hire a coach. According to BBC News, Emma Raducanu described her work with Petchey as productive and enjoyable, but she is unsure about future arrangements.
Right now, it's more about bringing my instincts back out, getting back in touch with myself. I have had a lot of people telling me what to do, how to play, and it hasn't necessarily fit. So I want to come back to my natural way of playing. That takes time to relearn because that's something that has been coached out of me a little bit. I don't necessarily want to have one coach in the role because anyone I bring in is straight away going to be scrutinised - even if it's a trial. I might feel the pressure to stick with them, even if it's not necessarily the right decision. I would love to have a coach that works well, but I don't think it's necessarily going to be easy to find one person and they are going to check every box. I definitely have my mind open to it. It's just that I would rather someone not come in and tell me 'let's do this', and I disagree with it but have to listen to them. So far Alexis [Canter] has been really good, but I am definitely going to tap into a few people here and there.
The identities of other informal mentors Raducanu plans to tap into besides Petchey have not been specified.
I work really well when I'm with him. I'm really happy to be on the court and just really enjoy it overall. I'm not sure, going forward, what it will look like.