Emma Raducanu, the 22-year-old British tennis sensation who captivated the world with her 2021 US Open triumph, has been navigating a challenging yet promising 2025 season. Known for her meteoric rise and resilience despite injury setbacks, Raducanu has recently made headlines not for her on-court exploits but for a strategic addition to her coaching team. Four-time Grand Slam champion Jim Courier, a respected voice in tennis, has weighed in on this development, calling the inclusion of Mark Petchey—a former world No. 80 and seasoned coach—“a net positive” for Raducanu’s preparations for the upcoming Roland Garros and Wimbledon tournaments.
Raducanu’s journey since her historic US Open victory as a qualifier has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. After reaching a career-high ranking of No. 10 in July 2022, injuries and frequent coaching changes have tested her resolve. Her 2025 season began with a third-round appearance at the Australian Open, followed by a string of losses that saw her ranking slip to No. 301 before a remarkable climb to No. 49 by April, thanks to a standout quarterfinal run at the Miami Open. Her latest challenge came at the Madrid Open, where she secured a first-round win against Suzan Lamens (7-6(4), 6-4) but fell to Marta Kostyuk in a gritty three-set battle (6-2, 2-6, 6-2) on April 25. Despite the loss, Raducanu’s competitive spirit shone through, and her collaboration with Petchey, which began informally at the Miami Open, has sparked optimism.
Courier, speaking as a tennis analyst, highlighted the significance of Petchey’s prior relationship with Raducanu. “When COVID-19 hit, they went to work together, in private in the UK, so he knew her before she became a star,” Courier noted, emphasizing the trust and familiarity that underpin their partnership. This connection, forged in 2020 before Raducanu’s global fame, provides a foundation of comfort—a rarity for the young star who has cycled through coaches like Nick Cavaday, Sebastian Sachs, and Vladimir Platenik in recent years. “We haven’t made anything formal. It’s pretty informal for now, but is something that’s going really well,” Raducanu said of her arrangement with Petchey. “He’s someone I feel I can trust because I’ve known him so long. For now, it’s working really well, and it’s nice to be with someone that I feel comfortable with.”
Petchey, who previously guided Andy Murray into the world’s top 50 and briefly coached Maria Sakkari, brings a wealth of experience. Courier pointed out tangible changes already evident in Raducanu’s game, particularly in her serve. “What I do know already is he’s already changed her service motion by adding more shoulder turn there, which is the idea is to try and give her a little bit more disguise and a little more power,” Courier explained. This technical tweak aims to bolster Raducanu’s effectiveness on clay, a surface where she has historically struggled, winning only 11 of her 20 professional matches. “No one’s expecting her to play well on clay, it’s not a natural surface for her,” Courier added, tempering expectations while noting that her grass-court prowess—evidenced by her 2021 Wimbledon fourth-round run—positions her well for the upcoming season.
Raducanu herself has embraced a less rigid approach under Petchey’s guidance. “I’m still figuring things out: what works for me, what doesn’t. What gets the best out of me. For now, I’m not getting as technical as I used to maybe,” she said, reflecting on her evolving mindset. Her Madrid performance, where she fought back from a 2-0 deficit in the second set against Lamens, showcased this newfound resilience. The win marked her first WTA Tour clay victory since 2022, a milestone that has her inching closer to a top-32 ranking and a potential French Open seeding.
Courier’s optimism extends beyond technical adjustments. He sees Petchey’s presence as a stabilizing force for Raducanu, who has faced intense scrutiny and pressure since her US Open heroics. “I think overall this is a net positive for her on so many levels, we’ll see where it goes,” he concluded. As Raducanu prepares for the WTA 1000 event in Rome, her focus is on building consistency and staying injury-free. With Petchey in her corner, the British star is poised to harness her undeniable talent and chart a path back to the elite, one match at a time.