Former world No. 9 CoCo Vandeweghe has weighed in on Emma Raducanu’s decision to work with Mark Petchey, describing the partnership as a smart move rooted in mutual comfort and understanding.
Raducanu has been through several coaching changes over the past year. Her previous coach, Nick Cavaday, stepped down in January due to personal reasons. She then trialed a short-lived partnership with Croatian coach Vladimir Platenik, which ended after a first-round exit at Indian Wells.
In March, Raducanu began working with Petchey, a former world No. 80 and ex-coach of Andy Murray. Their collaboration kicked off at the Miami Open, where Raducanu reached the quarter-finals — her best result since her 2021 US Open triumph.
Following a short break from the clay season, which included missing the Billie Jean King Cup and the WTA event in Rouen, Raducanu resumed working with Petchey in Madrid. She won her first-round match against Suzan Lamens before falling in a competitive battle to Marta Kostyuk in the second round.
Vandeweghe, speaking on Tennis Channel, highlighted the off-court dynamic between Raducanu and Petchey as the key factor in the pairing’s promise.
“They’re comfortable together — that’s something Emma’s looked for in many of her past coaching relationships,” Vandeweghe said. “It’s not just about tennis. It’s about someone who understands your life off the court.”
She also praised Petchey’s experience in navigating the pressures of British tennis.
“Petch is smart and has been through tough situations himself. He knows what it means to coach a British No. 1, having worked with Andy Murray. He understands the emotional demands and pressure, and he’s strong enough to stand his ground — which some of her past coaches may not have been able to do.”
