Emma Raducanu’s meteoric rise to tennis stardom at the 2021 US Open, where she clinched the title as an 18-year-old qualifier, remains one of the sport’s most captivating fairy tales. Yet, four years later, the British No. 2 finds herself grappling with a transformed landscape, as her coach Mark Petchey passionately defends her work ethic while urging her to adapt to the modern game. Following a swift 6-1, 6-2 defeat to reigning French Open champion Iga Swiatek in the second round at Roland Garros in 2025, Petchey offered a candid assessment of Raducanu’s journey, emphasizing her dedication while acknowledging the steep challenges she faces in reclaiming her place among the elite.
Raducanu, now 22 and ranked No. 41, arrived in Paris under scrutiny, with lingering concerns about her fitness after a series of injuries and a demanding start to the season. Her second-round exit against Swiatek, though a marginal improvement over a 6-1, 6-0 thrashing by the same opponent at the Australian Open earlier this year, underscored the gap between her and the world’s top players. A similar 6-1, 6-2 loss to world No. 2 Coco Gauff in Rome further highlighted her struggles, with Raducanu securing just one victory in nine career matches against top-five opponents. Petchey, who began working with her on an informal basis in March, has been resolute in his mission to guide her forward. “Since I started helping Emma, I said she needs to start closing the gap between the best players,” he declared, emphasizing that her 2021 triumph cannot define her future. “It’s tough on Emma as I still feel everyone is living in 2021. The games have changed massively.”
Petchey, a former British Davis Cup player and coach to Andy Murray, has been a steady presence in Raducanu’s corner, despite juggling commitments as a Tennis Channel pundit. Their partnership, which began during a successful run to the Miami Open quarter-finals, has brought a renewed focus to her game, particularly her serve. Analysts have noted improvements in her service motion, with added shoulder turn and power, a testament to Petchey’s technical expertise. Yet, he acknowledges the external factors complicating her progress, such as heavier tennis balls that favor power hitters like Swiatek. “The balls are four times heavier than back in 2021, and Emma isn’t the biggest hitter out there,” Petchey explained. “If you can’t put the ball through the court on a windy, heavy clay court day against someone like Iga, you’re going to get into all sorts of trouble.”
Criticism of Raducanu’s work ethic has been a persistent narrative since her US Open triumph, with some questioning her commitment amid a revolving door of coaches—she’s now on her eighth in four years. Petchey, who coached her for 10 months in 2020, fiercely disputes these claims. “I’m a little tired of hearing people say that she doesn’t work hard,” he said. “I spent 10 months with her in 2020, and I’ve spent every day that I can with her since Miami, and not once has she not put in a full day shift.” He insists that while there are areas for improvement—fitness, tactical adjustments, or technical refinements—her dedication is unwavering. “In terms of turning up every day and putting in a good shift, she’s done it every single time. So, I’d like to bury that myth where it belongs.”
Raducanu’s 2025 season has shown flashes of promise, with a quarter-final run in Miami and a first clay-court win since 2022 against Suzan Lamens in Madrid. However, her discomfort on clay, a surface she admits feels unnatural, and her limited exposure compared to peers like Swiatek, who boasts 23 straight wins at Roland Garros, highlight the uphill battle. “She’s obviously had a lot more experience, a lot more time playing tennis and competing than I have,” Raducanu reflected after her loss to Swiatek. Her decision to skip the Billie Jean King Cup for a training block in Los Angeles with Petchey, where they worked on her game while incorporating off-court activities like hiking and yoga, reflects her focus on long-term growth.
Petchey’s approach emphasizes a fresh start, urging Raducanu to shed the weight of 2021 expectations. “My mantra to her has been, ‘You are starting your career now. Everyone is judging you on what happened in 2021, but the reality is, I want to see you building a career here where people judge you in two years,’” he said. As Raducanu prepares for the grass-court season, where Petchey will be fully available, her team remains optimistic. With a trusted coach and a renewed sense of purpose, Raducanu is poised to evolve, determined to bridge the gap to the top and prove that her story is far from finished.
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