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 is now embracing a different coaching approach.
Roig was Raducanu’s ninth coach and the seventh full-time official coach to be replaced in her career. The 2021 US Open champion decided to part ways with Roig, who had previously collaborated with Rafael Nadal for 18 years, due to differing opinions on her playing style.
Since January, Raducanu has been collaborating with her hitting partner Alexis Canter and is content with the current arrangement as she prepares for the Indian Wells tournament in California, where she will compete against Anastasia Zakharova in the first round.
Although Raducanu continues to work on a daily basis with Mark Petchey, the 55-year-old’s broadcasting commitments with the Tennis Channel prevent him from being available full-time. Raducanu shared in an interview with BBC Sport in California that she is focused on reconnecting with her natural playing instincts and regaining her authentic style of play.
She emphasized that she is open to the idea of having a coach who complements her well, but she is cautious about the pressure and scrutiny that come with introducing a new coach. Raducanu praised Petchey’s positive impact on her game, highlighting their successful collaboration during Wimbledon last summer.
Raducanu expressed her preference for a coaching setup that allows her to retain autonomy over her playing style while benefiting from the guidance of experienced individuals like Petchey and Canter.