Emma Raducanu declared her resolve to reclaim her instinctive tennis game, with the British number one refusing to be limited by the dictates of a single coach or an unsuitable playing style.
“I aim to return to my innate way of playing. Relearning that will require time, as it has been somewhat suppressed by coaching,” Raducanu said to BBC Sport. “Many have instructed me on what to do and how to play, and it hasn’t always suited me. I’m reluctant to appoint a single coach, since any new appointment is instantly examined – even on a trial basis.” “I could feel compelled to remain with a coach even when it isn’t the best choice. I would welcome a well‑matched coach, yet I doubt it will be simple to locate someone who meets every criterion.”
Raducanu returns to competition this week at the Indian Wells Open, where a strong performance could improve her world ranking of 24. The 23‑year‑old has endured a chaotic start to the season, entering the Australian Open insufficiently prepared due to a foot injury, ending her partnership with coach Francisco Roig, reaching her first final since the US Open in Romania, and subsequently battling illness.
Her separation from Roig came after a second‑round loss to Anastasia Potapova at the Australian Open, during which Raducanu expressed dissatisfaction with her play under the Spaniard. In California, she will again receive assistance from Mark Petchey, who acted as a temporary coach for several months last spring and summer, while hitting partner Alexis Canter offers daily support.
Nevertheless, the former US Open winner has not dismissed the idea of appointing another full‑time coach. “I’m certainly open to that,” she remarked. “I would prefer not to have someone dictate a plan I disagree with, even if I must consider their advice. Alexis has been excellent so far, and I intend to consult a few others as needed.”
Although attention returns to Raducanu’s coaching approach, fellow Briton and former world No. 4 Tim Henman argues that physical training and court work should take precedence. “It remains too intermittent,” he observed. “She needs to build greater physical resilience, strength and speed to match the sport’s top power hitters.”
“I grasp her preferred style of play.” “She operates as an aggressive baseliner.” “The only addition I would suggest is a physical upgrade – increasing strength, speed and power behind her shots.”
When you compare the physical presence of Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Świątek, Coco Gauff or Elena Rybakina, Emma falls short of that benchmark. Given her build, she may never fully match those standards, yet she must narrow the disparity. She sits at No. 24 globally, and many of us believe she has the capacity to improve significantly.
Read next
Stephen Bunting calls death threats and social media abuse ‘very hurtful’ as he addresses Luke Littler’s rise
Definitely," Stephen Bunting says, reflecting on whether the relentless effort required as a darts player on social media feels like a deal with the devil. Following Luke Littler, the prodigious teenage world champion, Bunting is darts' most heavily marketed figure. Yet over the past year, his success on
Bernie Ecclestone questioned after shotgun discovered on his private jet in Portugal
Bernie Ecclestone was detained in Portugal on Monday after customs authorities found an undocumented shotgun in his possession at Tires Aerodrome in Cascais. The incident was confirmed by CuriosityNews, which independently verified the matter with authorities.
The 95-year-old former Formula One chief’s private jet had just landed
49ers preseason: fake wide receivers and undercover stings make it the wildest ever?
The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers have arrived in Australia for this week's NFL season opener in Melbourne. While the flight duration from California to Victoria is approximately 16 hours for both squads, their paths to the season's beginning have been starkly contrasting.
The