In a move that has sent shockwaves through the tennis world, Emma Raducanu, Britain’s 2021 US Open champion, has made a daring shift in her career trajectory by appointing Francisco Roig, a long-time coach of Rafael Nadal, as her new full-time mentor. The 22-year-old, known for her meteoric rise and subsequent struggles with consistency, is set to begin working with the 57-year-old Spaniard at the Cincinnati Open, with the partnership slated to run through the end of the 2025 season. This marks Raducanu’s eighth coaching change since her historic Grand Slam triumph, but Roig’s pedigree—having been part of Nadal’s team for all 22 of his Major titles—makes this her most high-profile appointment yet. As she prepares for the US Open, Raducanu’s decision to embrace Roig’s expertise signals a new chapter in her quest to reclaim her place among tennis’s elite.
Raducanu’s journey since her fairy-tale 2021 US Open victory, where she became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam, has been a rollercoaster. The weight of fame, coupled with persistent injuries to her ankles and wrists, has tested her resilience. Despite flashes of brilliance, her ranking has hovered outside the top 30, currently at No. 33. Her 2025 season showed promise under part-time coach Mark Petchey, with a quarterfinal at the Miami Open, a round-of-16 run at the Italian Open, and a historic quarterfinal at the inaugural women’s tournament at Queen’s Club. A semifinal at the Citi Open in Washington further boosted her confidence, though a third-round loss to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon and a 6-2, 6-1 defeat to Amanda Anisimova in Montreal highlighted her struggles against top-tier players. “I’m so excited to be in the semifinal here,” Raducanu said after her Washington run, a sentiment that reflects her hunger to build on recent progress.
Roig, a Barcelona native and former ATP player who peaked at No. 60, brings a wealth of experience to Raducanu’s camp. From 2005 to 2022, he served as Nadal’s No. 2 coach alongside Toni Nadal, Carlos Moya, and Marc Lopez, contributing to the Spaniard’s record 14 French Open titles and his dominance as part of the Big Three. Renowned as an “excellent swing doctor,” Roig’s keen eye for technical nuances—particularly in refining Nadal’s volleys and slice backhand—earned him praise as “technically the best coach in the world” by former Spanish No. 2 Feliciano Lopez. “He sees things that the rest of the coaches don’t see,” Lopez noted, highlighting Roig’s ability to pinpoint subtle flaws in movement and strokes. After parting ways with Nadal in 2022, Roig coached Matteo Berrettini from 2023 to 2024, further cementing his reputation as a top-tier mentor.
The collaboration began with a trial period following Raducanu’s Wimbledon exit, where she pushed Sabalenka in a tightly contested match. “She’s dangerous,” Roig reportedly said of Raducanu’s potential, recognizing her quick learning ability and adaptability. Discussions started during the grass-court season, and Roig’s arrival in Cincinnati on August 5 marks the start of their official partnership. Raducanu, who has often preferred familiar coaches like Nick Cavaday, her longest-serving mentor until his departure in January 2025 due to health issues, is stepping outside her comfort zone with Roig. Her previous coaches—Nigel Sears, Andrew Richardson, Torben Beltz, Dmitry Tursunov, Sebastian Sachs, Vladimir Platenik, and Petchey—reflect a turbulent search for stability. Petchey, a former coach of Andy Murray, will remain a close confidant despite his broadcasting commitments limiting his full-time role. “We are very aware she needs a second coach to come on board and maybe just one coach, not me, as well,” Petchey said in July, acknowledging the need for a dedicated mentor.
Roig’s technical expertise could address Raducanu’s challenges against top-10 opponents, where she holds a 0-6 record since March. Her game, while consistent against lower-ranked players (20-4 in 2025), lacks the physicality to overpower elite rivals. Roig’s ability to fine-tune strokes, as he did with Nadal’s slice backhand, could add the necessary edge to her forehand and serve, areas prone to inconsistency. With the Cincinnati Open kicking off on August 7 and the US Open looming on August 24, Raducanu aims to secure a seeding at Flushing Meadows, where she made history four years ago. A strong showing in Cincinnati, where she reached the fourth round in 2022, could propel her into the top 32. Roig’s presence may also guide her through potential tournaments like the Guadalajara Open, Korea Open, and China Open, with a slim chance at the WTA Finals in Riyadh if she breaks into the top eight.
As Raducanu embarks on this partnership, the tennis world watches with bated breath. Roig’s track record and Raducanu’s raw talent could form a potent combination, blending her adaptability with his precision. “I think it’s going to be a really exciting collaboration,” a British tennis insider commented, echoing the optimism surrounding this move. For Raducanu, who has faced relentless scrutiny since her teenage triumph, Roig’s guidance offers a chance to silence doubters and rediscover the magic that lit up New York in 2021.
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