As the grass courts of Wimbledon beckon, Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has put an end to speculation about her coaching setup, confirming that former British No. 1 Mark Petchey will guide her through the 2025 grass-court season, including the prestigious Championships starting June 30. The 22-year-old British star, whose career has been marked by both dazzling highs and turbulent coaching changes, is embracing a newfound stability with Petchey, a trusted ally from her pre-fame days. “It’s pretty informal for now but is something that’s going really well,” Raducanu said, highlighting the relaxed yet productive dynamic that has fueled her recent resurgence.
Raducanu’s coaching journey has been a rollercoaster since her historic US Open triumph. After parting ways with Nick Cavaday in January 2025 due to his health issues, she briefly worked with Slovakian coach Vladimir Platenik at Indian Wells, only to end the trial after a single match. Petchey stepped in during Miami, where Raducanu reached the quarter-finals of a WTA 1000 event for the first time, defeating top-10 player Emma Navarro en route. “I just find myself gravitating towards those people now who I’ve known,” she admitted, underscoring her preference for familiar faces like Petchey and childhood mentor Jane O’Donoghue, who have been constants in her tight-knit circle. This trust has translated into results, with Raducanu winning eight of 11 matches since Miami, a stark improvement from her earlier four-match losing streak.
Petchey, a respected broadcaster and former coach to Andy Murray, brings a wealth of experience to Raducanu’s camp. His commitment to forgo commentary duties during the grass season, including at Queen’s Club and Wimbledon, signals a full focus on her campaign. “The last few years, it’s been very difficult for me to trust new people,” Raducanu noted, explaining why Petchey’s prior work with her in 2020, before her meteoric rise, makes him an ideal fit. Their collaboration has already yielded dividends, with Raducanu reaching the last 16 at the Italian Open, her best clay-court showing, before falling to world No. 3 Coco Gauff. “I want to use this period to work on certain things in my game,” she said in Rome, a goal Petchey is helping her pursue with technical refinements, particularly to her serve.
The decision quashes rumors of a potential partnership with Andy Murray, whose recent split with Novak Djokovic sparked talk of a British “dream team.” Instead, Raducanu’s choice reflects a pragmatic approach, prioritizing continuity over headline-grabbing moves. Her physical resilience, bolstered by fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura, who has worked with Naomi Osaka and Maria Sharapova, has also been a game-changer. “Building a body, that’s a continuous process,” Raducanu said, crediting Nakamura for helping her compete consistently after injury-plagued seasons. Her withdrawal from the Auckland Open due to a back spasm was a minor hiccup, and she bounced back at the Australian Open, reaching the third round before losing to Iga Swiatek.
Raducanu’s 2025 season has shown flashes of her Grand Slam-winning potential. Her 20-13 record in 2024, coupled with a semi-final run at the Billie Jean King Cup, has lifted her to world No. 42, with a chance to crack the top 32 for Wimbledon seeding if she performs禁止使用 (Protected by copyright. To see more information please click this link.) She’s now preparing for a busy grass season, starting at Queen’s, where women’s tennis returns after over 50 years, followed by Wimbledon. Despite a challenging clay season, including early exits in Madrid and the French Open, Raducanu remains optimistic. “I’m very much looking forward to being back here at Wimbledon,” she said, recalling the magic of her 2021 debut, where she reached the fourth round as a wildcard. Her familiarity with grass, where she moves instinctively, gives her an edge over many overseas players who struggle with the surface’s slippery footing.
As Wimbledon approaches, Raducanu’s fans are hopeful for a deep run. Her past performances at SW19—reaching the last 16 in 2021 and 2024—prove her grass-court prowess. With Petchey’s guidance, a fortified physical foundation, and a renewed sense of joy on the court, Raducanu is poised to make waves. “I’m happy – certain engagement in the points in big moments,” she said, eager to showcase her bubbly personality and fearless play. Whether she can reclaim her 2021 magic or push further, Raducanu’s Wimbledon journey promises to be a captivating chapter in her evolving career.
[](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/emma-raducanu-mark-petchey-coaching-wimbledon-b2750872.html)[](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2025/05/14/emma-raducanu-coaching-boost-end-andy-murray-dream-team/)[](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/tennis/emma-raducanu-new-coach-2025-34947001)
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