At 22, Emma Raducanu remains a tennis sensation, forever marked as the 2021 US Open champion, a title she claimed as a teenage qualifier. Since that historic victory, her path has been turbulent, marred by injuries, coaching shifts, and relentless scrutiny. As she tackles the 2025 season, her former coach Mark Petchey, who worked with her briefly in 2020 and again from March to July 2025, has laid out three bold objectives to restore the British No. 1 to the sport’s upper echelon. Now guided by Francisco Roig, Rafael Nadal’s former coach, Raducanu is targeting these goals during her Asian swing, beginning at the WTA 500 Korea Open in Seoul.
Petchey’s first goal is for Raducanu to crack the world’s top 32, securing a seeding for the 2026 Australian Open. Currently ranked No. 33, she faces minimal pressure to defend points in late 2025, giving her a clear shot at climbing higher. “If I were Emma, I’d set three targets. First, get inside the top 32,” Petchey said, suggesting a ranking around 25 would help her avoid early clashes with top seeds at Grand Slams. A seeding would ease her into tournaments, facing lower-ranked opponents initially, boosting her chances for deeper runs. Her 2025 season, with a Washington semi-final and third-round showings in Canada, Cincinnati, and the US Open, signals she’s close to achieving this.
The second goal is to strengthen her game against the WTA’s powerhouses, like Aryna Sabalenka, Amanda Anisimova, and Elena Rybakina, who have often overwhelmed her. Petchey noted that Raducanu excels at redirecting pace and controlling rallies but struggles against heavy hitters. “She’s beaten players she’s expected to and some ranked above her, but she needs to be more impactful,” he said. Her 6-1, 6-2 loss to Rybakina at the 2025 US Open exposed this weakness, highlighting the need to sharpen her skills against aggressive opponents. With Roig’s expertise, Raducanu is refining her groundstrokes and positioning to better handle these challenges.
The third goal centers on optimizing her serve, constrained by her 5-foot-9 stature but with room for growth. “Keep working on that serve to get the maximum out of it,” Petchey urged, noting that while she may not rival Rybakina’s power, precision can make it a potent tool. Raducanu’s efficient serving in her US Open wins over Ena Shibahara and Janice Tjen, where she lost just three games total, shows promise. Petchey believes enhancing this shot will help her dictate points, easing the strain on her ground game against elite players.
Raducanu’s 2025 campaign reflects steady progress. After missing much of 2023 due to wrist and ankle surgeries, she’s risen from No. 80 to No. 33, with highlights including a Wimbledon fourth round and a Queen’s Club quarter-final. Her collaboration with Roig, who coached Nadal to 22 Grand Slam titles over 18 years, has fueled optimism. “His experience is invaluable, and I’m excited to keep working together,” Raducanu said, appreciating Roig’s passion and technical guidance. Their chemistry, evident in lively Cincinnati practice sessions, bodes well for her development.
In Seoul, Raducanu prioritizes growth over instant results. “I’m focused on improving my shot quality,” she said, embracing a patient approach. Petchey’s goals align with this vision, offering a clear yet ambitious blueprint for her comeback. With a favorable schedule and Roig’s mentorship, Raducanu is poised to quiet doubters calling her a “one-Slam wonder” and reassert herself among tennis’s elite. Her journey, driven by grit and passion, continues to inspire as she eyes a seeded spot in Melbourne and beyond.
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