Emma Raducanu has expressed that she is not in a hurry to secure a new long-term coach following her recent split with Francisco Roig earlier this year. Roig, who had previously collaborated with Rafael Nadal for almost two decades, became Raducanu’s latest coach to part ways with her after the Australian Open due to differing opinions on her playing style.
Having gone through a total of nine coaches and seven full-time official coaches in her career, the 2021 US Open champion has now shifted her coaching approach. Since January, Raducanu has been working alongside her hitting partner Alexis Canter, a setup that she is content with as she prepares for the upcoming Indian Wells tournament in California, where she is set to face Anastasia Zakharova in the opening round.
While Raducanu continues to collaborate on a day-to-day basis with Mark Petchey, she acknowledges that the 55-year-old’s broadcasting commitments prevent him from being available full-time. In a recent interview with BBC Sport in California, Raducanu emphasized the importance of rediscovering her natural playing style and instincts, expressing a desire to avoid the pressure of conforming to a coach’s directives that may not align with her approach.
Despite remaining open to the idea of working with a new coach, Raducanu emphasized the challenge of finding someone who meets all her criteria. She praised Petchey’s influence on her game, giving him high praise for his support and guidance during their time together, particularly highlighting the valuable insights gained from their conversations and shared experiences.