Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion and current world No. 38, outlined trust as the pivotal factor in her decision to appoint Francisco Roig, Rafael Nadal’s former coach, as her full-time coach through the end of 2025. Speaking to Sky Sports on August 7, 2025, ahead of the Cincinnati Open, Raducanu emphasized the importance of feeling comfortable and confident with Roig, stating, “The key for me is just trusting and feeling good with the person, and I feel that with Francisco. It’s going really well.” This trust, built during a trial period following her third-round Wimbledon exit to Aryna Sabalenka in July 2025, marks a significant step for Raducanu, who has cycled through eight coaches since her Grand Slam triumph.
Roig, who worked with Nadal from 2005 to 2022 and contributed to all 22 of his Grand Slam titles, brings a wealth of experience that Raducanu values. She highlighted his “bank of experience” as a crucial asset, noting, “He’s obviously got a lot of knowledge from working with Rafa for so long.” Their collaboration began with a focus on improving the quality of her shots, particularly to compete against top players, as Raducanu admitted, “I’m working on the quality of my shots to be better. To get to the very top, that’s what it needs.” Her 0-6 record against top-10 players in 2025, including a 6-2, 6-1 loss to Amanda Anisimova in Montreal, underscores this need, with Roig’s technical expertise—praised by Feliciano Lopez as “the best in the world” for spotting subtle flaws—seen as a potential solution.
Raducanu’s trust in Roig was further reinforced by their early interactions in London before Cincinnati, where they worked for a few days to establish a rapport. This followed a successful but informal stint with Mark Petchey, whose broadcasting commitments prevented a full-time role. Roig’s “soothing presence” and confidence-building approach, as described by Nadal in Rafa: My Story, align with Raducanu’s preference for a relaxed, collaborative environment, a trait she shares with her US Open mixed doubles partner Carlos Alcaraz. However, Matteo Berrettini’s cautionary note about his 2024 split with Roig, citing differing views despite a “completely professional” parting, suggests Raducanu must fully embrace Roig’s methods to maximize the partnership.
With a challenging Cincinnati draw, including a potential third-round clash with Sabalenka, Raducanu’s trust in Roig’s experience could be pivotal as she aims to climb into the top 32 for a US Open seeding. Posts on X, like @SkySportsNews’s, echoed her optimism, quoting her excitement about Roig’s expertise, while @Neil_Harman57 praised his seamless integration into Nadal’s team, suggesting a strong fit. Raducanu’s emphasis on trust reflects her evolving maturity, potentially stabilizing her career trajectory under Roig’s guidance.
