As Emma Raducanu prepares for her first-round match against Wang Xinyu at the 2025 French Open, a revealing account from one of her former coaches has shed light on her father Ian Raducanu’s hands-on approach during a private meeting with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). The incident, detailed by Belgian coach Philippe Dehaes, highlights Ian’s meticulous and analytical influence on Emma’s career, offering a glimpse into his true colours as a dedicated yet demanding figure in her tennis journey.
Intense Boardroom Meeting
Dehaes, who briefly coached Raducanu during her A-level years, recounted an intense boardroom meeting with Emma, Ian, and Iain Bates, the LTA’s head of women’s tennis. The session, described in a May 26, 2025, Express.co.uk article, involved reviewing match footage with Ian probing deeply into tactical details. Dehaes recalled Ian’s relentless questioning about a specific point, asking, “Why did she miss this ball? Was this about footwork or her forehand grip? What could Emma have done differently?” When Dehaes suggested Emma hit a short ball with her forehand aggressively, Ian countered, “But don’t you think the opponent’s backhand is weaker?” and pressed further, “What do you mean fast, which speed?” Dehaes described the discussion as “from another planet,” underscoring Ian’s micro-managing style.
Ian’s Coaching Philosophy
This meeting reflects Ian’s reputation as a softly-spoken but no-nonsense figure who challenges coaches to justify their strategies. Former British No. 1 Mark Petchey, now coaching Raducanu for the French Open, previously told the Daily Mail, “As a coach, he challenges you. His view is the coach does not necessarily know everything. I thought he had a good handle on what the particular needs of his daughter were.” Ian’s approach has sparked debate, with some, like Dehaes, admiring his focus on Emma’s development over immediate wins, while others note it complicates coaching relationships. A May 25, 2025, Telegraph article cited Ian’s penchant for seeking multiple coaches for specific expertise, a strategy that has led to Raducanu working with seven full-time coaches by age 22, including a brief 10-day stint with Vladimir Platenik in 2025.
Supportive Yet Surprising
Platenik, speaking on the Diary of a Professional Tennis Coach podcast, offered further insight into Ian’s supportive nature, noting, “I never heard a father thank me so many times after practices.” He revealed Ian was as surprised as he was when Emma ended their partnership before the Miami Open, yet they parted amicably, with Platenik expressing no resentment and wishing her well. This sentiment aligns with Dehaes’ view of Ian as “very low profile, very humble – but with a clear idea of what he wants,” emphasizing long-term growth over short-term success.
Broader Influence
Ian’s influence extends beyond coaching decisions. He has been pivotal in shaping Emma’s work ethic and diverse skill set, encouraging activities like ballet, golf, and karting alongside tennis to broaden her abilities, as noted in a 2021 Daily Mail article. His academic background, rooted in Romania’s rigorous education system, drove Emma to balance tennis with A-levels, earning an A* in mathematics and an A in economics. Unlike typical tennis parents focused on quick financial gains, Ian prioritized Emma’s education and development, a choice Dehaes praised as “very healthy.”
French Open Context
At the French Open, Raducanu’s current setup with Petchey, who is balancing coaching and commentary duties, reflects Ian’s continued openness to unconventional arrangements. As Emma seeks to mend ties with Andy Murray after their 2024 Wimbledon mixed doubles fallout, Ian’s presence remains a constant, guiding her career with a blend of high expectations and strategic oversight. While his intense involvement can make coaching Emma “very difficult,” as noted in a May 25, 2025, Express.co.uk post, it underscores his unwavering commitment to her success, evident in that private LTA meeting where his true colours—analytical, engaged, and relentless—shone through.
