At just 22, Emma Raducanu has already etched her name in tennis history as the 2021 US Open champion, a feat achieved as a teenage qualifier. Yet, the journey since that fairy-tale triumph has been a rollercoaster of injuries, coaching changes, and intense scrutiny. As she navigates the 2025 season, her former coach Mark Petchey, who guided her briefly in 2020 and again from March to July 2025, has shared a roadmap for her success, pinpointing three critical targets to propel the British No. 1 back to the sport’s elite. With a new coach in Francisco Roig, formerly Rafael Nadal’s mentor, and a renewed focus, Raducanu is poised to chase these goals during her Asian swing, starting with the WTA 500 Korea Open in Seoul.
Petchey’s first target for Raducanu is clear: break into the world’s top 32 to secure a seeding at the 2026 Australian Open. Currently ranked No. 33, Raducanu has a golden opportunity to climb the rankings, as she has few points to defend in the latter half of 2025. “If I was Emma, I’d have like three targets. Number one would be to get inside the top 32,” Petchey emphasized, suggesting a ranking around 25 or lower would be ideal to avoid top seeds early in major tournaments. A seeding would provide a buffer, allowing her to face lower-ranked players in the opening rounds, giving her a better shot at deep runs in Grand Slams. Her recent performances, including a semi-final in Washington and third-round appearances in Canada, Cincinnati, and the US Open, show she’s on the cusp of this goal.
The second target is to enhance her ability to compete against the WTA’s biggest hitters, such as Aryna Sabalenka, Amanda Anisimova, and Elena Rybakina, who have consistently challenged her. Petchey noted that Raducanu’s style thrives on redirecting pace and moving opponents around the baseline, but she struggles against players with overpowering shots. “She’s obviously been taking care of the players that she knows she can beat and some of the players that were ranked ahead of her. But obviously she will look to be more impactful,” he said. Her crushing 6-1, 6-2 defeat to Rybakina at the 2025 US Open highlighted this gap, underscoring the need to bolster her game to match the tour’s heavyweights. With Roig’s technical expertise, Raducanu is working to refine her groundstrokes and court positioning to counter these powerhouses.
The third target focuses on maximizing her serve, a shot limited by her 5-foot-9 frame but ripe for improvement. “And number three, to keep working on that serve; to keep making sure she’s getting the maximum out of it,” Petchey advised, acknowledging that while she may never match the booming serves of taller players like Rybakina, precision and placement can make it a weapon. Raducanu has already shown progress, serving effectively in her swift US Open wins over Ena Shibahara and Janice Tjen, where she dropped just three games combined. Petchey believes fine-tuning this aspect will help her set up points more effectively, reducing the pressure on her ground game against top opponents.
Raducanu’s 2025 season reflects a player rebuilding with purpose. After missing much of 2023 due to wrist and ankle surgeries, she has climbed from No. 80 to No. 33, with notable results like a Wimbledon fourth-round appearance and a quarter-final at Queen’s Club. Her partnership with Roig, who brings 18 years of experience from coaching Nadal to 22 Grand Slam titles, has sparked optimism. “He’s obviously got a bank of experience and I’m very excited to continue working with him,” Raducanu said, praising Roig’s passion and technical insight. Their early work in Cincinnati, marked by intense practice sessions and laughter, suggests a strong bond forming, crucial for her growth.
As Raducanu competes in Seoul, her focus remains on improvement over immediate results. “I’m working on the quality of my shots to be better,” she said, emphasizing patience in her development. Petchey’s targets align with this mindset, offering a practical yet ambitious plan to elevate her game. With a favorable schedule and Roig’s guidance, Raducanu is well-positioned to silence critics who’ve labeled her a “one-Slam wonder” and reclaim her place among tennis’s elite. Her journey, fueled by resilience and a love for the game, continues to captivate fans as she aims for a seeded spot in Melbourne and beyond.
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