As Emma Raducanu continues her ascent in the tennis world, her 2025 Wimbledon campaign has sparked fresh intrigue about her coaching future. The 22-year-old British star, who reached the fourth round before a valiant 6-3, 6-4 loss to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, has shown flashes of the brilliance that carried her to the 2021 US Open title. Yet, her revolving door of coaches—six in under four years since that historic triumph—remains a topic of debate. During a candid moment on BBC’s *6-Love-6* program on July 10, 2025, tennis legend John McEnroe was asked if he’d consider stepping into the role of Raducanu’s next coach. His response, laced with his trademark bluntness, offered insight into her game and the challenges she faces, while firmly ruling himself out of contention.
Raducanu’s 2025 season has been a tale of resurgence. After battling injuries and inconsistent form since her US Open victory, she’s climbed to No. 37 in the WTA rankings, her highest since August 2022, with a 10-5 record across her last five tournaments, including quarter-final and last-16 runs at the Miami and Italian Opens. Her current coach, Mark Petchey, a former British No. 1, has been credited with stabilizing her game since their partnership began in Miami. “She showed some battle against Sabalenka, so that was good,” McEnroe observed, praising Raducanu’s grit in her Wimbledon defeat. However, Petchey’s commitments as a broadcaster for TNT Sports, including his role at the French Open alongside McEnroe, have raised questions about his long-term availability. “I don’t think that would be the answer for her problems,” McEnroe said when asked about taking the coaching job himself. “First of all, I would have to get to know the person a bit, I don’t know her. She has got some game. But I would really like to take a closer look before I start pontificating about what she has got to do.”
McEnroe’s reluctance stems from his belief that Raducanu’s biggest challenge is finding stability. Her coaching carousel—Nigel Sears, Andrew Richardson, Torben Beltz, Dmitry Tursunov, Sebastian Sachs, and now Petchey with Nick Cavaday’s interim support—has drawn scrutiny. “Finding the right team seems to be an ongoing issue,” McEnroe noted earlier this year, a sentiment echoed after her 6-1, 6-2 French Open loss to Iga Swiatek. He’s previously criticized her decision to part ways with Richardson after her 2021 US Open win, questioning, “Why would you change a winning formula when you did something so unexpected?” That move, followed by brief stints with Beltz, Tursunov, and others, has led McEnroe to label her coaching changes a “revolving door” that hinders consistency. “If I won the US Open having gone through qualifying, I wouldn’t change my coach at least for the next year,” he said in 2022, a view he maintains as Raducanu navigates her career.
Raducanu’s Wimbledon performance showcased her potential and her challenges. Facing Sabalenka, she battled fiercely, even as controversial electronic line-calling decisions sparked frustration. “It’s kind of disappointing, the tournament here, that the calls can be so wrong,” she said, echoing McEnroe’s own skepticism about the system. Her ability to compete against top players, coupled with her charisma and marketability—evidenced by endorsements with Nike, Evian, and Dior—makes her a global star. Yet, injuries, including wrist and ankle surgeries in 2023, have disrupted her progress. Petchey has defended her work ethic, stating, “In terms of turning up every day and putting in a good shift, she’s done it every single time,” countering myths about her commitment. He’s also highlighted the evolving game, noting, “The balls are four times heavier than back in 2021, and Emma isn’t the biggest hitter out there,” a factor that complicates her matchups against powerhouses like Swiatek or Sabalenka.
McEnroe, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, brings perspective from his own coaching stints, including a brief spell with Novak Djokovic and captaining the Laver Cup. His caution about coaching Raducanu reflects his belief that she needs a tailored approach. “It boils down to getting the right situation around you so that you can be eager to get yourself as healthy and fit as possible,” he advised, emphasizing the link between her physical and mental challenges. Raducanu’s recent hiring of fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura signals her focus on durability, but her withdrawal from the ASB Classic in January 2025 raised concerns about lingering issues. “They’re both connected—mentality and injuries,” McEnroe warned, questioning whether self-doubt or physical limitations are the bigger hurdle.
As Raducanu prepares for the US Open, where she’ll reunite with Carlos Alcaraz as mixed doubles partners, her coaching situation remains fluid. Petchey’s dual role may not provide the long-term stability she needs, but McEnroe’s refusal to step in leaves the door open for others, like Rick Macci, who expressed interest in 2023, saying, “I could help her mentally. I know I could get this girl back on track.” For now, Raducanu’s talent and resilience keep her in the spotlight, but as McEnroe suggests, finding the right team could be the key to unlocking her next Grand Slam triumph.
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