Emma Raducanu, the 22-year-old British tennis star who stunned the world with her 2021 US Open victory, stands at a critical juncture in her career. Tennis icon Martina Navratilova has urged Raducanu to remain patient with her new coach, Francisco Roig, emphasizing the need to give their partnership time to flourish. Roig, who coached Rafael Nadal to 22 Grand Slam titles over 17 years, brings a wealth of experience to Raducanu’s team as she competes in the 2025 US Open. Navratilova’s advice highlights the importance of trust and commitment for Raducanu to rediscover her top form.
Since her 2021 US Open triumph at 18, Raducanu’s career has been a mix of brilliance and challenges, with injuries and inconsistent results dropping her ranking from a high of No. 10 in 2022 to No. 36 in September 2025. Her frequent coaching changes—Roig being her eighth since 2021—have sparked debate, with critics suggesting her lack of a long-term mentor has stalled her progress. However, recent performances signal a revival. Raducanu reached the Miami Open quarter-finals and challenged world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in three-set matches at Wimbledon and Cincinnati. Her 62-minute first-round US Open win over qualifier Ena Shibahara, her fastest professional victory, reflects growing confidence under Roig’s guidance.
In a Sky Sports interview, Navratilova praised Roig’s credentials, stating, “He’s worked with top players like Nadal and has the experience.” She urged patience, saying, “You can’t judge a coach’s fit after a month. Know their philosophy, buy into it, trust the process, and take responsibility for yourself.” Navratilova’s words address Raducanu’s history of switching coaches, including Torben Beltz, Dmitry Tursunov, and Andrew Richardson, who guided her to the 2021 US Open title.
Raducanu has embraced Roig’s direct approach. “He calls it how it is—‘the level needs to be better’—in a good way,” she said after defeating Olga Danilovic in Cincinnati. She values his calm demeanor, noting, “There’s no stress or panic, which rubs off on me.” Roig’s expertise has sharpened her serving and groundstrokes, with their partnership, solidified post-Wimbledon, set to continue through 2025. Navratilova stressed the importance of match play to evaluate coaching impact: “No matter how much you practice, it comes down to ‘can you do it in matches?’ That’s how you know what’s working.”
Despite a third-round US Open loss to Elena Rybakina (6-1, 6-2), Raducanu’s improved summer, including a positive practice court vibe, suggests progress. She now heads to the Korea Open on September 15 and an exhibition match against Amanda Anisimova in New Jersey on December 7. As she aims for a 2026 Australian Open seeding, Navratilova’s call to trust Roig’s process resonates. With her talent, improving health, and Roig’s proven expertise, Raducanu’s partnership could pave the way for a return to tennis’s elite.
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