Emma Raducanu, the British No. 1 tennis player, is set to work once more with coach Mark Petchey at the upcoming Indian Wells tournament, which begins Wednesday. After parting ways with her most recent coach, Francisco Roig, last month, Raducanu finds herself without a full-time coach and is turning to Petchey for support during this important WTA 1000 event.
This move follows a period in 2025 when Raducanu maintained a casual coaching relationship with Petchey while without a permanent coach. Currently ranked world No. 25, Raducanu has not been actively searching for a new coach, relying instead on her hitting partner Alexis Canter and physiotherapist Emma Stewart while traveling.
Background of Raducanu’s Coaching Journey and Past Collaboration
Mark Petchey holds a trusted position in Raducanu’s support team, having briefly worked with her prior to her breakthrough in 2021. Their informal reunion last year at the Miami Open proved effective, as Raducanu reached the quarterfinals. Petchey continued to assist her through the clay and grass court seasons while managing his work as a Tennis Channel commentator.
After stepping back to focus on broadcasting, Petchey’s departure led Raducanu to compete alongside Canter before appointing Roig as her coach. Their partnership ended after the recent Australian Open. Since then, Raducanu has continued to work with Canter and Stewart, a setup that has fueled some positive results, including her run to the final of the Transylvania Open earlier this month.
Health Setbacks and Current Coaching Outlook
Raducanu’s recent performances have been impacted by health issues, notably a chest infection contracted while competing in Cluj. The aftereffects contributed to her withdrawal in Doha and an early loss in Dubai. Despite this, she conveyed to The Guardian that she was not actively pursuing a new coach. She emphasized comfort in working with someone familiar, saying,
“Right now I wouldn’t say I’m actively looking for a coach,”
“Right now I have Alexis in my corner. He knows me as a person. He knows me as a player.”
This preference for familiar support staff aligns with her comfort in working with Petchey, who was part of her team during her historic 2021 US Open victory at Flushing Meadows.
The Nature of Petchey’s Support and Future Prospects
It remains uncertain if Petchey will continue assisting Raducanu beyond Indian Wells or at the Miami Open, the next event in the ‘Sunshine Double.’ When their informal partnership ended last summer, Petchey, who has also coached Andy Murray, expressed openness to future contact, stating that Raducanu knew how to reach him if assistance was needed.
Earlier this month on the Tennis Channel’s Big T Podcast, Petchey confirmed ongoing communication with Raducanu, reflecting positively on her recent progress. He remarked,
“We’ve messaged a few times. I did watch her play. It was nice to see her get some wins, it was nice to see some confidence, it was nice to see the fight was back. She was playing the way she wants to play, that was something, I think, she felt that she had lost a little bit in recent times,”
Petchey’s involvement could be instrumental in helping Raducanu regain her peak form as she competes at Indian Wells and beyond.
Significance of the Reunion and Outlook
Emma Raducanu’s return to working with Mark Petchey signals an important phase in her search for stability amid recent coaching changes and health challenges. Their renewed collaboration offers a familiar foundation at a crucial WTA 1000 event, providing her with tactical guidance and psychological support. This partnership may play a key role in revitalizing Raducanu’s confidence and competitive edge as she aims to build on her recent successes and manage ongoing difficulties in her tour schedule.
