Former World No.1 Backs Emma Raducanu’s Potential New Coach but Shares a Major Concern Over Longevity
“She needs the right quarterback who understands the mental game and has bulletproof confidence.” That’s how Rick Macci, Serena Williams’ former coach, described the coaching challenge facing Emma Raducanu. After an injury-hit 2024 season, the British star has found it tough to build momentum in 2025, crashing out early in five straight tournaments following a third-round finish at the Australian Open. But a spark returned last month—thanks to a familiar face in her corner: Mark Petchey, former coach to Andy Murray.
Petchey’s reappearance seemed to pay off, helping Raducanu reach the quarterfinals in Miami. And now, former World No.1 Andy Roddick believes Petchey could be just what Raducanu needs—if the partnership sticks.
A Familiar Face Returns
Raducanu has seen her fair share of coaching changes. Her previous coach, Nick Cavaday, parted ways with her after the Australian Open, citing personal reasons and a need to focus on his health. “It’s important for me to spend some more time at home,” Cavaday said, though he expressed pride in Raducanu’s return to the top 60.
Since then, she tried working with Slovakian coach Vlado Platenik at Indian Wells, but the experiment was short-lived. Raducanu lost in the first round and the duo split after just two weeks.
That led her back to a temporary setup featuring longtime confidante Jane O’Donoghue and Petchey. And under Petchey’s guidance, she shone in Miami, showcasing her best form since her breakout 2021 US Open win.
Roddick Weighs In
Roddick, now a podcast host, praised the Raducanu–Petchey pairing on the April 15 episode of Served. “I love Petchey. He was working with her in Miami and you could see the results. She looked like a top-10 player again,” he said.
He pointed to Raducanu’s relaxed demeanor during warm-ups and described Petchey as having “a great tennis brain” and the kind of calming influence Raducanu thrives under.
Still, Roddick is cautious about the future of this partnership. He expressed concern over Raducanu’s history of quickly parting ways with coaches. “It’s hard to ask someone to give up their schedule for a job that might last two weeks,” Roddick warned. “That quick trigger limits your options. The coaching pool gets smaller every time.”
A Pattern of Change
Raducanu has cycled through seven coaches in just three years, including Nigel Sears, Andrew Richardson (her coach during her US Open win), Torben Beltz, Dmitry Tursunov, and Sebastian Sachs. In 2025 alone, she’s already worked with Cavaday and Platenik.
As of now, there’s no official word on whether Petchey will join her team permanently. But signs point to progress—and pressure.
Taking a Step Back
After her strong showing in Miami, Raducanu surprisingly pulled out of Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup qualifier and this week’s Rouen Open. Her team said it was a “difficult decision,” explaining that she needed time to rest and take care of her body.
In Miami, she battled valiantly against Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals, even taking a 5–2 lead in the second set. But a bout of dizziness caused by heat and long breaks led to a medical timeout. “I felt really faint,” she said afterward. “It was very humid, and we had a long wait between games.”
Still, she took pride in her performance: “I’m really proud of how I fought… I can take a lot of positives from this week.”
What’s Next?
Raducanu is expected to return later this month, with her name still on the Madrid Open entry list. With the French Open just weeks away, the next chapter of her career—and her coaching saga—could unfold soon.
What do you think? Is Emma Raducanu’s revolving door of coaches a necessary search for the right fit—or a recipe for instability? Share your take below.
