Mark Petchey, Emma Raducanu’s part-time coach, issued a stern warning to the British No. 2 following her 6-1, 6-4 loss to Iga Swiatek in the second round of the French Open on May 28, 2025, emphasizing that tennis has “changed massively” since her 2021 US Open triumph. Speaking to TNT Sports, Petchey expressed frustration with critics doubting Raducanu’s work ethic, declaring he’s “tired” of the narrative and aims to “bury that myth,” per www.express.co.uk.
Petchey’s Defense of Emma Raducanu’s Work Ethic
Petchey, who began working informally with Raducanu at the Miami Open in March 2025, passionately defended her commitment. “I’m a little tired of hearing people say that she doesn’t work hard… I spent 10 months with her in 2020 and every day that I can with her since Miami, and not once has she not put in a full day shift,” he said, per www.skysports.com. He acknowledged areas for improvement in fitness and tennis but stressed, “In terms of turning up every day and putting in a good shift, she’s done it every single time. So, I’d like to bury that myth where it belongs,” per www.independent.co.uk. Posts on X, like @STVSport, amplified Petchey’s defense, reflecting support for his stance.
Warning: Tennis Has Moved On
Petchey cautioned Raducanu, ranked No. 41, that she cannot rely on her 2021 US Open glory to compete with today’s elite. “Since I started helping Emma, I said she needs to start closing the gap between the best players… She doesn’t need me to sit between 20-50 in the world and, if I’m not the best choice, she needs to find the best choice,” he told TNT Sports, per www.express.co.uk. He noted the evolution of the game, stating, “The games have changed massively, the balls are four times heavier than back in 2021 and Emma isn’t the biggest hitter out there,” particularly on clay against Swiatek, who boasts 23 straight Roland Garros wins, per www.skysports.com. Raducanu’s 1-9 record against top-five players, including losses to Swiatek (6-1, 6-0 at the Australian Open 2025) and Coco Gauff (6-1, 6-2 in Rome 2025), underscores this gap, per www.independent.co.uk.
Context of Raducanu’s French Open and Coaching Setup
Raducanu reached the second round with a gritty 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 win over Wang Xinyu, her first French Open victory since 2022, despite fitness concerns, per www.telegraph.co.uk. Petchey was absent courtside due to TNT Sports commitments, with his daughter Myah, a former US college player, supporting Raducanu, per www.mirror.co.uk. Raducanu playfully called Myah a “mini-Mark,” joking she might “hate her” for it, per www.express.co.uk. Petchey’s informal role, alongside Jane O’Donoghue, has drawn scrutiny, with Dan Evans questioning its sustainability: “It can’t last if she starts losing matches and Petchey is in the commentary box,” per www.telegraph.co.uk. However, Raducanu values the setup, saying, “Being a lot more self-sufficient is something Mark has helped me with,” per www.express.co.uk.
Petchey’s Impact and Raducanu’s Progress
Since teaming up, Raducanu reached the Miami Open quarter-finals, her best WTA 1000 result, and improved her clay-court game, per www.tennis365.com. Petchey has focused on her serve, adding shoulder turn and power, per www.skysports.com, and fostering a relaxed environment, with activities like spikeball and yoga, per www.nytimes.com. Chris Evert praised Raducanu’s renewed focus, crediting Petchey: “Mark Petchey has been great for her as the coach,” per www.tennis365.com. Raducanu admitted to feeling “constant pressure” post-match, per www.express.co.uk, but remains optimistic, planning to leverage Petchey’s full availability during the grass season, per www.telegraph.co.uk.
Connection to Other Sports Narratives
Petchey’s call for Raducanu to evolve mirrors Gerwyn Price’s mindset shift to counter Luke Littler, per www.gbnews.com, and Carlos Alcaraz’s nod to Richard Gasquet’s longevity, per @TennisActu. Like Danielle Collins’ stand against media scrutiny, per www.express.co.uk, and Jack Grealish’s career reset, per www.footballinsider247.com, Petchey’s defense reflects a push for fairness. Raducanu’s resilience, akin to Coco Gauff’s focus, per www.hola.com, and Alex de Minaur’s grit, per au.news.yahoo.com, underscores her ongoing journey.
Conclusion
Mark Petchey fiercely defended Emma Raducanu’s work ethic, aiming to “bury” myths about her commitment, while warning that tennis has evolved since her 2021 US Open win, per www.express.co.uk. After her 6-1, 6-2 French Open loss to Iga Swiatek, Petchey stressed the need to close the gap with top players like Swiatek and Gauff, citing heavier balls and Raducanu’s lighter hitting, per www.skysports.com. His informal coaching, supported by Myah Petchey and O’Donoghue, has boosted Raducanu’s game, per www.tennis365.com,, but faces logistical challenges, per www.telegraph.co.uk. Like Price, Alcaraz, Collins, Grealish, Gauff, and de Minaur, Petchey and Raducanu’s partnership reflects resilience amid high expectations. Raducanu now eyes grass-court progress with Petchey’s guidance.
