Raducanu Focuses on Rediscovering Her Natural Game
Emma Raducanu, currently ranked 24th in the world—the highest since 2022—has expressed her intention to reconnect with her natural style of play. The British number one is considering consulting various individuals as she works to regain her instincts on court.
The 2021 US Open champion remains open to engaging a full-time coach, provided that the coach does not impose a playing style on her. However, she is cautious about the scrutiny that any new coach might attract.
Raducanu's collaboration with Francisco Roig ended following the Australian Open in January due to disagreements regarding her playing style. Roig was the seventh full-time coach she has worked with.
"Right now, it's more about bringing my instincts back out, getting back in touch with myself," Raducanu told after a two-hour practice session ahead of her first match at Indian Wells in California.
"I have had a lot of people telling me what to do, how to play, and it hasn't necessarily fit.
So I want to come back to my natural way of playing. That takes time to relearn because that's something that has been coached out of me a little bit.
I don't necessarily want to have one coach in the role because anyone I bring in is straight away going to be scrutinised - even if it's a trial.
I might feel the pressure to stick with them, even if it's not necessarily the right decision.
I would love to have a coach that works well, but I don't think it's necessarily going to be easy to find one person and they are going to check every box.
I definitely have my mind open to it. It's just that I would rather someone not come in and tell me 'let's do this', and I disagree with it but have to listen to them.
So far Alexis [Canter] has been really good, but I am definitely going to tap into a few people here and there."
Mark Petchey Assists in Day-to-Day Coaching Role
Mark Petchey is among those Raducanu is consulting. His role at the Tennis Channel brings him to Indian Wells, where he has been assisting her on court regularly this week. Although their arrangement is currently on a day-to-day basis, Petchey may resume the ad hoc coaching role he held last spring.
Petchey, who coached Andy Murray early in his career, joined Raducanu's team in Miami last March when she reached the quarter-finals. He was also a consistent presence during the clay-court season, including when Raducanu reached the fourth round in Rome.
Raducanu said she sought Petchey's help due to discomfort with her game and has observed improvement in recent days.
"I work really well when I'm with him," she said.
"I'm really happy to be on the court and just really enjoy it overall. I'm not sure, going forward, what it will look like."
Raducanu Aims to Recover Form After Middle East Tournaments
Alexis Canter, who has limited coaching experience, takes a more supportive role when Petchey is present. Canter was Raducanu's hitting partner in Washington last summer during her semi-final run and also accompanied her in Cluj last month when Raducanu reached the second final of her career.
Raducanu did not win a match in Doha or Dubai, where she was affected by a chest infection, but has since recovered. She is set to play her second-round match on Friday at Indian Wells against qualifier Anastasia Zakharova, following a first-round bye.
Having had a full week of practice to adapt to the desert conditions and Californian sun, Raducanu believes that trusting her natural instincts is key to climbing the rankings. This approach involves playing aggressively, taking the ball early, and hitting hard to the corners, reminiscent of her teenage playing style.
She stated after her second-round exit at the Australian Open: "hitting the ball to the corners and hard."
