Emma Raducanu’s Vision with New Coach Francisco Roig
Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, is no stranger to the spotlight, her meteoric rise at 18 followed by a rollercoaster of injuries, coaching changes, and a relentless pursuit of consistency. Now, at 22, the British No. 1 has made a bold move by enlisting Francisco Roig, the former coach of tennis legend Rafael Nadal, to guide her through the end of the 2025 season. With the Cincinnati Open underway and the US Open looming, Raducanu has articulated a clear goal for this partnership: to elevate her game to compete toe-to-toe with the WTA’s elite. “I hope Francisco Roig can help me beat the top players,” she declared, signaling her ambition to transform from a scrappy contender into a dominant force.
Raducanu’s decision to bring Roig on board comes after a productive but informal stint with British coach Mark Petchey, whose media commitments prevented a full-time role. Since March, Petchey helped Raducanu climb back into the WTA’s top 35, with standout performances including a WTA 1000 quarterfinal in Miami, a round-of-16 finish at the Italian Open, and a semifinal at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C. Despite a third-round loss to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon, Raducanu’s 83% win rate against players outside the top 10 this season shows her potential. However, her 0% record against top-10 opponents underscores the gap she aims to bridge. “I think I can definitely improve on a lot of my shots, just the quality of them,” Raducanu told reporters. “I’ve been good at being creative, scrapping, playing the big points well, but I think the overall quality of my game needs to be better. And I see that when I play the really top players where I can’t run and scrap, wait on them to miss.”
Roig, a 57-year-old Spaniard with a storied career, is uniquely positioned to help. Having worked alongside Toni Nadal for 18 years, Roig was instrumental in all 22 of Nadal’s Grand Slam victories, earning praise for his technical acumen. Former world No. 12 Feliciano Lopez called him “technically, the best coach in the world,” citing his ability to spot nuances in a player’s game, such as Nadal’s forehand or movement, that others overlook. “He’s able to see things that the rest of the coaches don’t see,” Lopez said, a sentiment echoed by Nadal himself, who described Roig as a “soothing presence” who “transmits a lot of confidence.” Raducanu, known for her eagerness to learn, is banking on Roig’s expertise to refine her strokes and bolster her mental resilience. “First impressions are it’s going really well,” she said after early training sessions in London and Cincinnati. “I’m just so excited to have him on board, so much experience.”
The partnership, formalized after a trial following Wimbledon, marks Raducanu’s eighth coaching change since her US Open triumph, a fact that has drawn scrutiny. Yet, this move feels different. Unlike previous short-lived partnerships, such as a 14-day stint with Vladimir Platenik, Roig’s pedigree and Raducanu’s recent stability suggest a promising fit. Her current No. 33 ranking and No. 26 position in the WTA race to the Finals in Riyadh reflect a player on the cusp of a breakthrough. A strong showing in Cincinnati, where she’s seeded 30th and has a first-round bye, could secure a seeded spot at the US Open, a tournament where she made history as a qualifier in 2021. “It’s going really well, it’s my second day here with him, but I did a few days in London before I came out here,” Raducanu told Sky Sports, her enthusiasm palpable as she prepares for her opening match.
Roig’s recent tenure with Matteo Berrettini, which ended in October 2024 after a year of success marred by differing views, hints at potential challenges. Berrettini noted, “It’s true that we saw some things differently,” but emphasized the professionalism of their split. Raducanu, who has a history of parting ways with coaches, will need to build trust with Roig, a process she’s approaching with optimism. “I’m really looking forward to continuing,” she said, hopeful that Roig’s technical insights can elevate her game against players like Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Amanda Anisimova, who defeated her convincingly in Montreal. With Petchey remaining a close confidant, Raducanu’s team is taking shape as she eyes a deep run in New York, aiming to prove that this coaching gamble is the key to unlocking her full potential.
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