Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has been making waves on the tennis circuit once again, thanks in part to her renewed collaboration with coach Mark Petchey. The British tennis star, who burst onto the global stage with her stunning Grand Slam victory at just 18, has faced her share of challenges in recent years, including injuries and a revolving door of coaches. However, her partnership with Petchey, a seasoned coach with a history of guiding top players like Andy Murray, appears to be steering her game back toward its peak. In a recent interview, Petchey shared insights into how he has worked to refine key aspects of Raducanu’s game, helping her rediscover the form that once captivated the tennis world.
Petchey, who first worked with Raducanu in 2020 before her meteoric rise, revealed that he had been closely monitoring her progress even before rejoining her team in March 2025. “I knew Emma since 2020, and I kind of have been tracking a few things,” he said, explaining that he had a clear vision of the areas in her game that needed attention. When the opportunity arose to coach her again, starting at the Miami Open, Petchey was ready to implement targeted adjustments. His approach has focused on fine-tuning her serve and experimenting with her racket strings to enhance her performance, particularly on clay courts, where she has historically faced challenges.
The results of Petchey’s guidance have been evident. Since reuniting with him, Raducanu has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence, posting an 8-3 record across tournaments in Miami, Madrid, and Rome. Her standout performances include reaching the quarter-finals in Miami and the last 16 in Rome, showcasing a level of consistency that had eluded her in recent seasons. At the Internationaux de Strasbourg, she delivered a commanding 6-1, 6-3 victory over former world No. 8 Daria Kasatkina, demonstrating her improved movement, tactical variety, and confidence. Her ability to mix slices, drop shots, and powerful groundstrokes has left opponents struggling to find answers, signaling that Raducanu is rediscovering the flair that defined her US Open triumph.
One of the key areas Petchey has emphasized is fostering Raducanu’s self-sufficiency on the court. “I think being a lot more self-sufficient is something Mark has helped me with the last few weeks,” Raducanu noted after her first-round win at the French Open against Wang Xinyu. This focus on independence has been crucial, especially given Petchey’s part-time role, as he balances coaching with his commitments as a broadcaster for TNT Sports. While some, including former British No. 1 Dan Evans, have questioned the sustainability of this arrangement, Raducanu has embraced it, crediting Petchey for helping her “figure things out for myself.” His absence from the stands during some matches, such as her French Open victory, hasn’t hindered her progress, thanks to the support of her tight-knit team, including childhood mentor Jane O’Donoghue and hitting partner Tom Welsh.
Adding a unique dynamic to Raducanu’s support system is Petchey’s daughter, Myah, a former top-ranked junior in South Africa. During Raducanu’s French Open match, Myah was courtside, offering encouragement throughout the grueling three-hour battle. Raducanu playfully referred to her as “Mini-Mark,” saying, “I actually think having her there really helped – because I was like, ‘It’s a mini-Mark!’” This lighthearted comment, while sparking a cheeky exchange, underscored the positive atmosphere within Raducanu’s camp, a stark contrast to the pressures she faced earlier in her career.
Petchey’s influence extends beyond technical adjustments. Tennis legend Chris Evert has praised his impact, noting that Raducanu’s priorities now seem “in the right place.” Evert believes that with Petchey’s guidance, Raducanu is poised to elevate her game further, particularly by adding more power and incorporating net play. “She’s playing better with Mark Petchey,” Evert said, highlighting the 22-year-old’s renewed commitment to her craft. Similarly, former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki emphasized the importance of Petchey instilling belief in Raducanu, stating, “She needs people around her to keep reminding her she can beat anyone at her best.”
As Raducanu prepares to face defending champion Iga Swiatek at the French Open, Petchey remains candid about the work ahead. “Emma at this stage of her career, despite what she’s already achieved, has some work ahead of her to be the best player that she can be,” he said, echoing the sentiment that her journey is one of continuous improvement. With Petchey’s strategic tweaks, a supportive team, and her own growing confidence, Raducanu appears well-positioned to reclaim her place among the elite. As she continues her clay-court campaign and looks ahead to the grass season, where Petchey will coach her full-time, the tennis world is watching eagerly to see how far this revitalized partnership can take her.
# Emma Raducanu’s Resurgence with Coach Mark Petchey
## A Renewed Partnership
Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has been making waves on the tennis circuit once again, thanks in part to her renewed collaboration with coach Mark Petchey. The British tennis star, who burst onto the global stage with her stunning Grand Slam victory at just 18, has faced her share of challenges in recent years, including injuries and a revolving door of coaches. However, her partnership with Petchey, a seasoned coach with a history of guiding top players like Andy Murray, appears to be steering her game back toward its peak.
## Targeted Improvements
Petchey, who first worked with Raducanu in 2020, revealed that he had been closely monitoring her progress even before rejoining her team in March 2025. “I knew Emma since 2020, and I kind of have been tracking a few things,” he said, explaining that he had a clear vision of the areas in her game that needed attention. His approach has focused on fine-tuning her serve and experimenting with her racket strings to enhance her performance, particularly on clay courts.
## Impressive Results
The results of Petchey’s guidance have been evident. Since reuniting with him, Raducanu has posted an 8-3 record across tournaments in Miami, Madrid, and Rome. Her standout performances include reaching the quarter-finals in Miami and the last 16 in Rome. At the Internationaux de Strasbourg, she delivered a commanding 6-1, 6-3 victory over former world No. 8 Daria Kasatkina, showcasing improved movement, tactical variety, and confidence.
## Fostering Self-Sufficiency
One of Petchey’s key contributions has been fostering Raducanu’s self-sufficiency on the court. “I think being a lot more self-sufficient is something Mark has helped me with the last few weeks,” Raducanu noted after her first-round win at the French Open. Despite Petchey’s part-time role due to his broadcasting commitments, Raducanu has embraced the arrangement, crediting him for helping her “figure things out for myself.”
## A Supportive Team
Raducanu’s support system also includes Petchey’s daughter, Myah, a former top-ranked junior in South Africa. During Raducanu’s French Open match, Myah was courtside, offering encouragement. Raducanu playfully referred to her as “Mini-Mark,” saying, “I actually think having her there really helped – because I was like, ‘It’s a mini-Mark!’” Her broader team, including childhood mentor Jane O’Donoghue and hitting partner Tom Welsh, has also played a crucial role.
## Expert Endorsements
Tennis legend Chris Evert has praised Petchey’s impact, noting that Raducanu’s priorities now seem “in the right place.” Evert believes that with Petchey’s guidance, Raducanu can add more power and net play to her game. Similarly, Caroline Wozniacki emphasized the importance of Petchey instilling belief in Raducanu, stating, “She needs people around her to keep reminding her she can beat anyone at her best.”
## Looking Ahead
As Raducanu prepares to face Iga Swiatek at the French Open, Petchey remains candid about the work ahead. “Emma at this stage of her career, despite what she’s already achieved, has some work ahead of her to be the best player that she can be,” he said. With Petchey’s strategic tweaks and her growing confidence, Raducanu is well-positioned to reclaim her place among the elite as she heads into the grass season.
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