Emma Raducanu, the 22-year-old British tennis sensation and 2021 US Open champion, has embarked on a new chapter in her career by teaming up with Francisco Roig, a seasoned coach who spent 18 years in Rafael Nadal’s corner. This high-profile appointment, set to run through the end of 2025, comes as Raducanu seeks to elevate her game and secure a top-32 seeding at the upcoming US Open. With her first official tournament alongside Roig at the Cincinnati Open, the tennis world is abuzz with anticipation, and former British No. 1 Annabel Croft has hailed the move as a masterstroke, calling it “one of the best appointments” of Raducanu’s career.
Raducanu’s journey since her historic US Open triumph has been a rollercoaster of injuries, coaching changes, and flashes of brilliance. After a strong 2025 season that saw her climb to world No. 39 with 23 wins in 39 WTA matches, she’s shown signs of rediscovering the form that made her a global star. Her recent performances, including a semi-final run at the Washington Open and a quarter-final appearance at the Miami Open, have fueled optimism about her potential. However, a third-round loss to Amanda Anisimova at the Canadian Open highlighted areas for improvement, particularly against top-tier opponents. Enter Roig, whose vast experience and technical expertise are expected to refine Raducanu’s game and propel her toward consistent success.
Croft, a respected voice in tennis commentary, is effusive about the partnership. “I think he’s a very good appointment, one of the best appointments,” she said, emphasizing Roig’s pedigree. “Anyone who has had that much experience with Rafael Nadal, it’s incredible. I’ve always admired him, I always thought somebody like him might be perfect for her. So I’m excited about the fact she’s chosen him. He’s very disciplined and detailed.” Roig’s credentials are undeniable: he was part of Nadal’s team for all 22 of the Spaniard’s Grand Slam titles, working alongside Toni Nadal and later Carlos Moya and Marc Lopez. His ability to fine-tune technical aspects, as noted by Feliciano Lopez, who called him “the best coach in the world” technically, makes him an ideal fit for Raducanu, whose serve and forehand still require polish.
Raducanu herself is optimistic about the collaboration, which began with a trial period in London post-Wimbledon. “First impressions are it’s going really well,” she told reporters, highlighting Roig’s wealth of experience. “I’m just so excited to have him on board, so much experience. I’m really looking forward to continuing.” She revealed that their initial focus is on improving the quality of her shots, particularly to compete against elite players. “I think I can definitely improve on a lot of my shots, just the quality of them,” she said. “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. And I’m hoping he can help me with that.”
The partnership marks a shift for Raducanu, who has worked with eight coaches in her young career, most recently Mark Petchey, whose TV commitments limited his availability. While Petchey remains a close confidante, Roig’s full-time presence offers stability and a wealth of tactical insight. His recent stint with Matteo Berrettini, guiding the Italian to three ATP titles in 2024, underscores his ability to deliver results. Berrettini praised Roig, saying he helped him “grow tremendously,” though their partnership ended due to differing views. For Raducanu, building a personal connection with Roig will be key, given the intense travel demands of the WTA Tour. A lighthearted anecdote about navigating Ohio’s roads in a massive Cadillac Escalade hints at the early bonding process, with Raducanu handing over driving duties to Roig after a nerve-wracking trip from the airport.
Croft also sees Raducanu’s recent progress as a foundation for success. “You look at her and think, ‘what a talent, you’ve got everything’. Moves beautifully, she’s got choices, has variety, creativity,” she said. “I think she’s a beautiful tennis player and it’s all about getting the matches and the momentum going and building up the bank as I call it and this year she’s definitely built up a bigger bank of matches, and match wins, and that counts for something.” With a tough Cincinnati Open draw potentially pitting her against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the third round, Raducanu’s partnership with Roig faces an immediate test. Yet, with her talent and Roig’s proven track record, this collaboration could be the catalyst for a deep run at Flushing Meadows and beyond.
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