At just 22 years old, Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has made headlines once again by appointing Francis Roig, a seasoned coach who played a pivotal role in Rafael Nadal’s illustrious career, as her eighth coach. This latest chapter in Raducanu’s evolving career comes as she prepares for the Cincinnati Open, a WTA 1000 event, with ambitions to climb the rankings and reclaim her place among tennis’s elite. The decision marks a significant shift for the British star, who has navigated a revolving door of coaches since her meteoric rise to fame, all while battling injuries and striving for consistency.
Raducanu’s journey to tennis stardom began with her historic 2021 US Open victory, where, as a qualifier ranked outside the top 300, she became the first British woman to win a Grand Slam singles title since Virginia Wade in 1977. At 18, she defeated Leylah Fernandez in straight sets, dropping no sets throughout the tournament—a feat that cemented her as a prodigy. However, the years since have been a rollercoaster, with frequent coaching changes and injuries challenging her ability to replicate that success. Her latest move to bring Roig on board, under a contract extending through 2025, signals a renewed focus on stability and growth.
Roig, who worked alongside Nadal’s uncle Toni, Marc Lopez, and Carlos Moya during all 22 of Nadal’s Grand Slam triumphs from 2005 to 2022, brings a wealth of experience. After leaving Nadal’s team, he coached Italy’s Matteo Berrettini from 2023 to 2024, helping the former Wimbledon finalist navigate the professional circuit. Raducanu began discussions with Roig during Wimbledon 2025, where she reached the third round before falling to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. A successful trial period post-Wimbledon convinced Raducanu to formalize the partnership, with the pair set to start their collaboration in Cincinnati on August 7, 2025.
Since January, when her previous coach Nick Cavaday stepped down due to health concerns, Raducanu had been without a permanent coach. She worked informally with British coach and commentator Mark Petchey, who previously guided a young Andy Murray to his first ATP title. Petchey’s part-time role, limited by his TV commitments, yielded impressive results, including a quarterfinal run at the Miami Open, a round-of-16 appearance at the Italian Open, and a quarterfinal at Queen’s Club, the Wimbledon warmup. “This week, I have amazing people who have known me for a very long time,” Raducanu said during her Miami campaign, emphasizing the comfort of working with familiar faces like Petchey and longtime friend Jane O’Donoghue, a former LTA coach. Despite these successes, Petchey noted in July that Raducanu needed a full-time coach, prompting her to secure Roig.
Raducanu’s coaching carousel has been a point of contention among fans and analysts. Since her US Open triumph, she has worked with Nigel Sears, Andrew Richardson (who coached her to the US Open title), Torben Beltz, Dmitry Tursunov, Sebastian Sachs, Vladimir Platenik, and Cavaday. Critics argue that her frequent changes—eight coaches in four years—have hindered her consistency, with one Reddit user commenting, “If you’re going through 8 coaches in 2.5 years… she just strikes me as arrogant, stubborn and someone who’s difficult to work with.” Yet Raducanu has defended her approach, stating, “It’s a decision that I want to take my time with. I think that’s why I haven’t necessarily jumped into something straight away, because I want to make sure it’s a right fit.” Her cautious approach reflects a desire for a mentor who aligns with her technical needs and personal trust.
The 2025 season has shown glimpses of Raducanu’s potential. She reached the semifinals of the Citi Open in Washington, D.C., and secured notable wins over top players like Jessica Pegula and Maria Sakkari. Her Miami run saw her defeat eighth seed Emma Navarro and 17th seed Amanda Anisimova, propelling her back into the world’s top 50 at No. 48 by March 31. However, setbacks, including a first-round loss to Sofia Kenin at the US Open and a foot injury that forced her to retire in the Korea Open quarterfinals, have kept her from sustained success. “I know when I have a lot of matches, just like every player, you feel really good, you feel like everything’s automatic,” Raducanu reflected after her US Open defeat, acknowledging the need for better schedule management.
Roig’s appointment offers hope for a turning point. His experience with Nadal, one of tennis’s greatest competitors, could provide Raducanu with the tactical acumen and mental resilience needed to navigate the WTA Tour’s demands. Tim Henman, who mentored Raducanu during her US Open win, expressed optimism, stating, “She’s getting stronger physically, and when you’re that good if you keep doing the right things, keep working in the right areas, the results will come.” Raducanu’s multilingual background—she speaks English, Mandarin, and Romanian—and her rigorous upbringing in Bromley, England, where she balanced tennis with academics, earning an A* in mathematics and an A in economics, underscore her discipline and drive.
As Raducanu prepares for Cincinnati, she remains focused on climbing the rankings, currently sitting at No. 33. Her partnership with Roig, combined with her continued connection to Petchey, suggests a blend of new expertise and trusted familiarity. The tennis world watches eagerly to see if this eighth coaching chapter will unlock the consistency that has eluded her since her fairy-tale US Open run.
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