Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, is poised to elevate her game with a bold new addition to her coaching team. The 22-year-old British tennis star has enlisted Francisco Roig, the seasoned coach who spent nearly two decades in Rafael Nadal’s corner, helping the Spaniard secure an astonishing 22 Grand Slam titles. This move marks Raducanu’s eighth coaching partnership since her historic triumph in New York, but it carries a distinct air of ambition as she prepares for the Cincinnati Open and the upcoming US Open. With Roig’s expertise and a renewed sense of purpose, Raducanu is setting her sights on conquering the top tier of women’s tennis.
Raducanu’s journey since her breakout US Open victory has been a whirlwind of highs and lows. From navigating injuries to cycling through coaches, she’s faced challenges that tested her resilience. Her latest partnership with Roig, which began with a trial period after Wimbledon, signals a strategic shift. Unlike her previous arrangements, this collaboration brings a coach with unparalleled experience in nurturing champions. Roig, who worked alongside Nadal’s uncle Toni and later Carlos Moya, was instrumental in shaping Nadal into one of tennis’s all-time greats. His recent stint with Matteo Berrettini from 2023 to 2024 further honed his ability to coach players with an aggressive, power-baseline style—perfectly suited to Raducanu’s dynamic game.
“It’s going really well,” Raducanu shared, her enthusiasm palpable. “It’s my second day with him here, but I did a few days in London before I came out here. He’s obviously got a bank of experience, and I’m very excited to continue working with him and to have him on my side.” Her words reflect a sense of optimism as she integrates Roig’s technical expertise into her training regimen. The partnership, formalized through the end of 2025, comes at a pivotal moment. Raducanu has shown flashes of brilliance this season, reaching the quarterfinals at the Miami Open, the last 16 at the Italian Open, and the semifinals at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C. Yet, her losses to top players like Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek highlight the gap she aims to close.
Raducanu has pinpointed a key area for improvement: the quality of her shots against elite opponents. “I think 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,” she explained. “I see that when I play the really top players where I can’t run and scrap, wait on them to miss. I think that’s where I need to improve. And yeah, I’m hoping he can help me with that.” Roig’s track record suggests he’s the right person for the job. His technical acumen, praised by former world No. 12 Feliciano Lopez as the best in the business, could help Raducanu refine her aggressive style to compete consistently against the WTA’s best.
The transition to Roig comes after a productive but temporary stint with British coach Mark Petchey, who guided Raducanu since March but couldn’t commit full-time due to his broadcasting commitments. Under Petchey, Raducanu climbed from No. 60 to No. 33 in the WTA rankings, a testament to her growing consistency. Their partnership remains amicable, with Petchey staying on as a close confidant. However, Roig’s full-time presence offers the stability Raducanu has sought since parting ways with Nick Cavaday in January due to his health concerns. Previous coaches, including Andrew Richardson, who led her to the 2021 US Open title, and others like Nigel Sears and Dmitry Tursunov, have come and gone, but Roig’s appointment feels like a step outside her comfort zone—a leap of faith for a player known for sticking to familiar faces.
Raducanu’s decision to work with Roig reflects a newfound maturity. “First impressions are it’s going really well,” she told reporters, recalling their initial training sessions post-Wimbledon. “I was really happy with how it went. I’m just so excited to have him on board, so much experience.” Their first official assignment together is the Cincinnati Open, where Raducanu, seeded 30th, has a first-round bye and will face either Katie Boulter or Olga Danilovic. A strong performance could secure her a seeding at the US Open, a goal that underscores her ambition to reclaim her place among the elite.
Beyond the court, Raducanu’s approach to tennis sets her apart. Unlike Nadal’s singular focus, she embraces a broader perspective, balancing her love for art, literature, and food with her athletic pursuits. This “renaissance woman” mindset, as some have called it, aligns with her belief that joy and relaxation fuel her best performances. Roig, accustomed to Nadal’s relentless dedication, will need to adapt to Raducanu’s unique style. If he can earn her trust—a challenge given her cautious nature—this partnership could unlock her potential. As she prepares for the hard-court swing, Raducanu’s journey with Roig is a compelling chapter in her quest to redefine her career and challenge the very best.
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