Emma Raducanu’s game has already shown noticeable changes since she began working informally with coach Mark Petchey. Though their partnership has yet to be made official, Raducanu has turned to Petchey — who previously coached her before her breakthrough 2021 summer — for support during her recent tournaments in Miami and Madrid, as well as during a training block in Los Angeles.
Currently ranked No. 49 in the world, Raducanu has expressed interest in bringing Petchey onto her team full-time but confirmed that no formal agreement is in place yet. Despite the uncertainty, Petchey’s influence is already evident, according to Tennis Channel analyst and former world No. 1 Jim Courier.
Courier revealed that Petchey has helped tweak Raducanu’s serve, saying:
“He’s already changed her service motion by adding more shoulder turn to give her serve more disguise and power. Overall, it’s a net positive for her on so many levels.”
Raducanu reached her first WTA 1000 final at the Miami Open with Petchey courtside, although she exited in the second round at the Madrid Open. Nevertheless, she showed promising signs, particularly on clay, a surface she has little experience with.
Courier also emphasized the importance of Petchey’s familiarity with Raducanu from before her rise to fame, explaining:
“When Covid hit, they worked together privately in the UK. That history is crucial for her now, at a time when stable coaching relationships have been difficult for her to maintain.”
Looking ahead, Raducanu plans to compete at the Italian Open in Rome next month and hopes Petchey will continue with her through the upcoming grass-court season — where she feels more comfortable and has previously excelled. Courier hopes their partnership will at least last through the summer:
“Grass is where she made her breakthrough, reaching the round of 16 at Wimbledon before winning the US Open. Building towards that is key.”
While their coaching relationship remains unofficial for now, Raducanu confirmed to The Guardian that she is hopeful Petchey will join her team for Rome and beyond.
