Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, kicked off her preparations for the 2025 Cincinnati Open with a spirited practice session under the guidance of her new coach, Francisco Roig, a veteran strategist from Rafael Nadal’s championship-winning team. On August 5, 2025, at the revamped Lindner Family Tennis Center, Raducanu hit the courts for the first time with Roig, facing world No. 36 Rebecca Sramkova in a session marked by intense communication and tactical focus. The 22-year-old Briton, now ranked No. 38 in the live WTA rankings, is leveraging Roig’s technical expertise to sharpen her game ahead of the WTA 1000 event and her return to the US Open, where she aims to secure a seeded spot and recapture the magic of her historic triumph. The noticeable synergy between Raducanu and Roig has sparked excitement, signaling a potential turning point in her quest for consistency and elite-level performance.
The practice session, observed by tennis insiders, stood out for the immediate rapport between Raducanu and Roig. From the outset, the pair engaged in frequent, animated discussions, with Roig offering precise feedback on her footwork and shot selection while Raducanu responded with her trademark inquisitiveness. “She’s always asking questions, challenging the thinking,” Raducanu once said of her approach to coaching, a trait that aligns perfectly with Roig’s reputation as a meticulous observer. Renowned for his work with Nadal from 2005 to 2022, Roig helped refine the Spaniard’s volleys and slice backhand, earning praise from Feliciano Lopez as “the best coach in the world” for his ability to spot subtle flaws. His hands-on approach was evident as he guided Raducanu through drills against Sramkova, emphasizing consistency and aggression—key areas where the Briton has sought improvement since her injury-plagued seasons post-2021.
Raducanu’s decision to bring Roig on board until the end of 2025, following a trial after her third-round Wimbledon loss to Aryna Sabalenka, reflects her determination to stabilize her coaching setup. Her previous collaboration with Mark Petchey, a part-time arrangement since March, yielded a quarterfinal at the Miami Open, a round-of-16 run at the Italian Open, and a semifinal at the Citi Open in Washington. “This week I have some really good people around me who I trust and who I have fun with off the court as well,” Raducanu said in Miami, crediting Petchey’s positive influence. However, Petchey’s broadcasting commitments, including Tennis Channel duties at the Canadian and Cincinnati Opens, made a full-time role untenable. “I think at the moment we are a bit more short-term,” Petchey admitted in July, acknowledging the need for a dedicated coach. He will remain an advisor, offering remote support, while Roig takes the helm for Raducanu’s critical hard-court campaign.
The Cincinnati Open, where Raducanu is seeded 30th due to withdrawals by players like Mirra Andreeva, Qinwen Zheng, and Paula Badosa, offers a golden opportunity. With a first-round bye, she faces a potential second-round clash with compatriot Katie Boulter, who holds a perfect head-to-head record, including a 2024 Nottingham Open semifinal win. “It was a great tennis match,” Petchey said of Raducanu’s competitive Wimbledon loss to Sabalenka, a sentiment that underscores her growing form. Her 2022 Cincinnati appearance, where she upset Serena Williams in a historic 6-4, 6-0 victory, remains her only match against the 23-time Grand Slam champion, fueling hopes for a deep run this year. To secure a US Open seeding, likely requiring a quarterfinal finish, Raducanu must navigate a stacked top half featuring Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek.
Roig’s arrival brings a wealth of experience, having coached Nadal to all 22 of his Grand Slam titles and recently worked with Matteo Berrettini. His focus on technical precision, as opposed to heavy video analysis, suits Raducanu’s analytical style. “He sees things in Rafa’s forehand or movement that no other guys would notice,” Lopez noted in The Masters, highlighting Roig’s ability to fine-tune elite players. Raducanu’s recent resurgence—23 wins in 2025, including a Washington semifinal—suggests she’s ready to capitalize on this expertise. Her practice with Sramkova, a versatile player, allowed Roig to assess her movement and shot-making under pressure, setting the stage for a challenging draw.
As Raducanu prepares for Cincinnati and the US Open, where she has yet to win a match since her 2021 title, the energy of her first session with Roig offers hope. The constant dialogue, combined with her improved fitness and confidence, signals a player rediscovering her spark. “I think being a lot more self-sufficient is something Mark has helped me with,” she said after a French Open win, a mindset Roig is likely to reinforce. With Petchey’s guidance lingering and Roig’s technical mastery at her side, Raducanu’s Cincinnati campaign could mark the start of a bold new chapter, one where she reclaims her place among tennis’s elite.
Leave a Reply