Following her gritty first-round victory over Wang Xinyu (7-5, 4-6, 6-3) at the French Open 2025 on May 27, Emma Raducanu humorously expressed concern that Myah Petchey, daughter of her coach Mark Petchey, might “hate” her for a lighthearted comment. Raducanu, speaking post-match, revealed that Myah, a former US college player, was courtside offering support, describing her as a “mini-Mark.” “I actually think having her there really helped,” Raducanu said with a laugh, adding, “because I was like, ‘It’s a mini-Mark!’ She’s gonna hate me for saying that.” This playful remark came as Raducanu appreciated Myah’s encouragement throughout the three-hour match on Court No. 8, despite her father’s absence due to TNT Sports commentary duties. The comment, set against Raducanu’s unconventional coaching setup and the French Open’s resilience themes, connects to narratives like Ons Jabeur’s scheduling rant and Alex de Minaur’s gritty win.
Context of Raducanu’s Coaching Arrangement
Raducanu’s informal partnership with Mark Petchey, ongoing since the Miami Open in March 2025, has been marked by flexibility due to his broadcasting commitments. During her French Open opener, Petchey was unavailable, leaving Myah, alongside Tom Welsh and mentor Jane O’Donoghue, to support Raducanu. Raducanu praised Myah’s presence, noting, “She was standing there for the whole three hours and didn’t go. I really appreciated that.” The “mini-Mark” quip reflects their familiarity, as Raducanu has known the Petchey family since 2020. However, Dan Evans has questioned the setup’s sustainability, saying, “It can’t last if she starts losing matches and Petchey is in the commentary box.”
Despite a sore back and illness, Raducanu’s upbeat mood in Paris aligns with her improved form, including a Miami quarterfinal and Italian Open last-16 run. Her jest about Myah underscores the positive dynamic in her camp, though fans on X noted the humor. Facing Iga Swiatek next, who routed her 6-2, 6-1 in round two, Raducanu’s resilience mirrors de Minaur’s fight against Laslo Djere.
French Open Narratives and Jabeur’s Rant
Jabeur’s criticism of the French Open’s sexist scheduling, prioritizing men’s matches for night sessions, resonates with Raducanu’s early 11 a.m. slot, a point Jabeur argued limits women’s visibility. Raducanu’s match, played to a smaller daytime crowd, exemplifies this issue. Her lighthearted comment about Myah contrasts with Jabeur’s serious call for equity, yet both highlight women’s tennis narratives. Like de Minaur’s limp-sparked concerns and Andre Agassi’s praise of Alexander Zverev’s backhand, Raducanu’s story blends humor and perseverance.
Conclusion
Emma Raducanu’s playful fear that Myah Petchey “is going to hate her” for calling her a “mini-Mark” after her French Open 2025 first-round win over Wang Xinyu reflects her positive camp dynamic. Supported by Myah due to Mark Petchey’s commentary duties, Raducanu’s resilience, despite health challenges, shone through. Her comment, amid Jabeur’s scheduling rant and de Minaur’s gritty win, fits the French Open’s themes of grit and visibility struggles for women, with fans hoping for a strong Swiatek matchup.
