Emma Raducanu, Britain’s brightest tennis star, is embarking on a pivotal chapter in her career under the guidance of Francisco Roig, the seasoned coach who played a crucial role in Rafael Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam victories. At the 2025 US Open, Raducanu’s first major tournament with Roig, she showed flashes of the brilliance that won her the 2021 title as a teenage qualifier. Despite a third-round exit, tennis legend Martina Navratilova believes that competitive matches will reveal whether this partnership can propel Raducanu back to the sport’s elite. “Matches tell you everything,” Navratilova declared, emphasizing the importance of on-court experience in shaping the 22-year-old’s future.
Raducanu’s US Open journey began with promise. She delivered a commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory over qualifier Ena Shibahara in just 62 minutes, marking her fastest professional win and her first Flushing Meadows victory since 2021. A second-round win over Janice Tjen followed, showcasing her aggressive baseline play. However, a 6-1, 6-2 defeat to No. 9 seed Elena Rybakina in the third round ended her campaign, though not without glimpses of progress. Navratilova, an 18-time Grand Slam champion, sees this as a stepping stone. “There’s no substitute for match play no matter how much you practise, how much you train,” she said. “It all comes down to ‘can you do it during matches?’”
Roig’s influence was evident from the start. Having joined Raducanu’s team after a trial following Wimbledon, the Spaniard brings a wealth of experience from his 17 years with Nadal. His technical expertise and calm demeanor have resonated with Raducanu, who has struggled with coaching consistency since her meteoric rise. “You can tell, when we’re at these big events, at these big matches or tournaments with a lot of people, there is a big element of calm assurance in the matches,” Raducanu said of Roig. “There is no stress or panic, which definitely rubs off on me.” This stability is a stark contrast to her earlier career, marked by frequent coaching changes and injuries.
Navratilova, speaking to Sky Sports, urged Raducanu to commit to Roig long-term. “I think you need to give it some time—you can’t after a month judge whether somebody’s a good fit or not,” she advised, praising Roig’s pedigree. “He’s been there for so many years with top players, with Nadal, and he certainly has the experience.” She emphasized that matches will allow Raducanu to assess Roig’s strategies, noting, “Once you get those matches under your belt, then you can build up to it and say ‘okay, this part of what the coach is telling me is working really well or this part is not great.’”
Raducanu’s 2025 season has been her most consistent yet, with 25 match wins and a climb to world No. 35 after battling wrist and ankle injuries in 2023. Her summer campaign included a thrilling three-setter against Aryna Sabalenka at the Cincinnati Open, where she displayed improved aggression and serving accuracy. At the US Open, her practice sessions with Roig were intense, focusing on technical precision and mental resilience. “I put a lot of trust in what I’m doing with Francisco on the practice court,” Raducanu said. “I’m enjoying getting better, and the process of feeling like at the end of the day I’m satisfied I got a little bit better.”
Roig’s approach also helps Raducanu manage her perfectionist tendencies. “I can be pretty tough on myself sometimes,” she admitted. “He just helps a lot with trying to be not such a perfectionist.” This mindset, coupled with Roig’s ability to maintain composure in high-pressure settings, has fostered a positive atmosphere. Despite challenges like hearing Roig’s instructions amid Flushing Meadows’ raucous crowds—“I really don’t hear much at all,” she confessed—Raducanu relies on his calming presence to stay focused.
With few ranking points to defend for the rest of 2025, Raducanu has a golden opportunity to climb higher and aim for a seeding at the 2026 Australian Open. Navratilova’s advice underscores the importance of patience: “It’s up to the player to see what works for them and make that decision.” As Raducanu continues to build with Roig, each match is a chance to refine her game and rediscover the fearless spirit that captivated the tennis world. The US Open may have ended, but for Raducanu, it’s a promising start to a journey that could lead back to greatness.
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