As the clay courts of Madrid beckoned in April 2025, Emma Raducanu, Britain’s tennis prodigy, stepped into the Mutua Madrid Open with renewed confidence and a unique approach to her coaching. The 22-year-old, whose meteoric rise culminated in the 2021 US Open title, has paused her search for a permanent coach, opting instead for an “informal” partnership with Mark Petchey, a familiar face from her pre-US Open days. This unconventional setup, which Raducanu says is “working well,” has sparked intrigue among fans and analysts, offering a glimpse into the mindset of a player who thrives on flexibility and trust.
Raducanu’s journey through the coaching carousel has been well-documented. Since her Grand Slam triumph, she has worked with a string of mentors, including Nigel Sears, Andrew Richardson—who guided her to that historic US Open victory—Torben Beltz, Dmitry Tursunov, and Sebastian Sachs. Each partnership brought valuable lessons, but Raducanu’s inquisitive nature often outpaced her coaches. “I ask my coaches a lot of questions,” she once remarked, reflecting on past splits. “On certain occasions, they haven’t been able to keep up with the questions I’ve asked, and maybe that’s why it ended.” Her current arrangement with Petchey, however, feels different. “I can trust him,” Raducanu declared, emphasizing the comfort of working with someone she’s known since her teenage years.
Petchey, a respected figure in tennis both as a former player and a broadcaster, entered Raducanu’s orbit during her standout 2025 Miami Open campaign, where she reached the quarterfinals, showcasing her best tennis of the season. His presence in the coaching box brought a calming influence, blending tactical insight with a relaxed rapport. “I like him a lot, and it’s nice to have familiar faces around,” Raducanu shared, highlighting the value of their longstanding connection. Their collaboration took a significant step forward during a 10-day training block in Los Angeles, where they fine-tuned her game for the clay season. Despite Petchey’s commitments to television broadcasting, which limit his availability, Raducanu remains unfazed. “We’re keeping things informal for now, and it’s been working,” she said, her tone radiating optimism.
This informal setup aligns with Raducanu’s free-spirited approach to her career. After a month-long hiatus following Miami, she returned to competitive action in Madrid, where Petchey joined her team, fitting her around his broadcasting schedule. “I’m happy with the setup going forward right now—it’s been working well,” Raducanu reiterated, dismissing the need for a full-time coach. Her recent performances, including a strong showing in Stuttgart earlier in April, suggest that this flexibility suits her. The British No. 2, now ranked in the top 30, has navigated a challenging 2025 season marked by injury recovery and technical adjustments. Her ability to reach deep tournament stages, like the Miami quarterfinals, underscores her resilience and adaptability.
Beyond the court, Raducanu’s decision reflects a broader evolution in her approach to professional tennis. Known for her intellectual curiosity—she famously completed her A-levels shortly before her US Open win—she values relationships built on mutual understanding. Petchey’s role, while part-time, offers stability without the rigidity of a traditional coaching contract. Their Los Angeles training stint, described by those close to the team as intensive yet collaborative, focused on refining Raducanu’s serve and movement on clay, a surface where she’s still finding her footing. Fans on social media have praised her pragmatism, with one X user noting, “Emma’s choice to stick with Petchey is smart—she looks more solid with him in her corner.”
As Raducanu competes in Madrid, her informal setup with Petchey symbolizes a new chapter. The clay season, with its grueling rallies and strategic demands, will test her progress, but she appears ready to embrace the challenge. Her trust in Petchey, coupled with her willingness to chart an unconventional path, speaks to a player who is not just chasing titles but redefining success on her own terms. Whether this partnership evolves into something more permanent or remains a flexible alliance, Raducanu’s confidence in the present moment is clear. For now, the courts of Madrid await, and with Petchey in her corner, Raducanu is poised to continue her ascent, one match at a time.