Emma Raducanu’s coaching carousel may finally be settling down, with her recent collaboration with Mark Petchey showing signs of real promise. However, one potential obstacle could hinder a long-term partnership between the two.
Raducanu and Petchey have history, having worked together briefly during the summer of 2020 before the Brit’s breakthrough performance at Wimbledon and her historic 2021 US Open win. Their recent reunion at the 2025 Miami Open instantly paid dividends, with Raducanu reaching her first-ever WTA 1000 quarter-final. That run included impressive wins over top-seeded players Emma Navarro and Amanda Anisimova before she fell to fourth seed Jessica Pegula.
The performance marked a major turnaround for the 22-year-old, propelling her back into the WTA top 50 and sparking speculation that her informal partnership with Petchey could soon become permanent.
Sky Sports commentator Jonathan Overend sees real potential in the pairing:
“When Petchey appeared courtside in Miami, the results were instant — it was her best tournament of the year so far. Raducanu is known for asking a lot of questions, and Petchey has the answers. Their conversations are likely deep and detailed, which is great for development.”
Raducanu herself has hinted that the relationship is going well:
“It’s working really well, and it’s nice to be with someone I feel comfortable with,” she said.
Despite the positive signs, there’s one major issue that could complicate things. Petchey currently holds a broadcasting role with Tennis Channel in the United States — a commitment that limits his availability to travel full-time on tour.
Overend addressed this concern:
“Time and commitment could become a problem. Petchey’s role with Tennis Channel is demanding. This kind of inconsistency in her coaching setup illustrates Raducanu’s business-minded approach — if something isn’t working, she changes it.”
He added:
“She’s completely within her rights to prioritize personal comfort. Tennis is an incredibly isolating sport, and that close bond with a coach can make all the difference.”
For now, Petchey remains in Raducanu’s camp during the Madrid Open, and fans will be watching closely to see if this collaboration becomes a more permanent fixture in her evolving career.
