Emma Raducanu, the British tennis sensation who captured the world’s attention with her historic 2021 US Open victory, is once again making headlines as she embarks on a new phase in her career. At just 22, the former Grand Slam champion has faced her share of challenges, from injuries to a revolving door of coaches. However, as the 2025 season unfolds, Raducanu is embracing a bold shift in her coaching approach, moving away from the relaxed, informal setups of her past toward a more structured and disciplined partnership with Francisco Roig, a seasoned coach with a proven track record.
Raducanu’s journey since her meteoric rise at the 2021 US Open has been anything but predictable. After her stunning triumph as an 18-year-old qualifier, she struggled to replicate that success, grappling with injuries and inconsistent form. Her frequent coaching changes—having worked with eight head coaches in just four years—have drawn scrutiny from fans and analysts alike. Yet, Raducanu has consistently defended her approach, emphasizing her desire for loyalty and stability. “It’s never really been my interest or philosophy to chop and change coaches. I’ve never really wanted that,” she said in a recent interview. “I’m a very loyal person, whether that’s with my tennis or off the court. Or with what I eat. When I find something I like, I stick to it.”
Her latest move signals a departure from the “relaxed” coaching style that characterized her recent partnerships, particularly her part-time collaboration with Mark Petchey in 2025. Petchey, a familiar figure in British tennis and a former coach of Andy Murray, provided Raducanu with a comfortable and flexible dynamic during the grass-court season. Their partnership yielded promising results, including a quarterfinal appearance at Queen’s Club and a semifinal run at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C. However, Petchey’s broadcasting commitments limited the arrangement’s long-term viability, prompting Raducanu to seek a more permanent solution.
Enter Francisco Roig, a Spanish coach who spent nearly two decades as part of Rafael Nadal’s coaching team, contributing to all 22 of the tennis legend’s Grand Slam titles. Roig’s appointment, announced ahead of the 2025 Cincinnati Open, marks a significant shift toward a more disciplined and structured coaching style. Known for his meticulous approach and deep tactical expertise, Roig brings a wealth of experience that Raducanu hopes will elevate her game. “It’s going really well,” Raducanu shared with enthusiasm. “He’s obviously got a bank of experience, and I’m very excited to continue working with him and to have him on my side.”
The timing of this change is critical as Raducanu prepares for the final stretch of the 2025 season, including the Cincinnati Open and the US Open. Her recent performances have shown flashes of brilliance, with a career-best run to the Miami Open quarterfinals earlier this year and notable victories over top-10 players like Jessica Pegula and Maria Sakkari. Currently ranked World No. 33, Raducanu is on the cusp of returning to the top 30, a milestone that former British No. 1 Tim Henman believes is well within her reach. “There is no doubt in my mind she’s a great player and should be back knocking on the door of the top 30, seeded at Slams, and the top 20 if she stays healthy,” Henman remarked.
Raducanu’s decision to work with Roig reflects her growing maturity and determination to reclaim her place among the elite. After parting ways with her childhood coach Nick Cavaday in January 2025 due to his health issues, she briefly experimented with other coaches, including a two-week stint with Vladimir Platenik. These short-lived partnerships underscored her struggle to find the right fit, but her collaboration with Roig feels like a deliberate step toward long-term stability. Roig’s experience with Nadal and Matteo Berrettini equips him to handle the pressures of coaching a high-profile player like Raducanu, whose aggressive style—marked by a powerful forehand, versatile backhand, and deft drop shots—requires fine-tuning to compete consistently against top-tier opponents.
As Raducanu takes to the courts in Cincinnati, she faces a challenging draw that could pit her against formidable players like Aryna Sabalenka, whom she narrowly lost to at Wimbledon earlier this year. Despite the tough competition, Raducanu’s confidence is palpable. “I think when I’m being really authentic, that’s when I’m playing my best,” she said, reflecting on her free-spirited approach. With Roig’s guidance, she aims to channel that authenticity into a more disciplined framework, balancing her natural flair with the consistency needed to succeed at the highest level.
The tennis world is watching closely as Raducanu navigates this new chapter. Her resilience, evident in her recovery from wrist and ankle surgeries and her ability to silence doubters with standout performances, suggests she’s ready to embrace the challenges ahead. Whether this partnership with Roig becomes the foundation for a career resurgence remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Emma Raducanu is determined to write the next chapter of her story on her own terms, with a renewed focus and a coach who can match her ambition.
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