British tennis star Emma Raducanu has made a significant move in her career by appointing Francisco Roig, a seasoned coach who was alongside Rafael Nadal for almost 18 years and also coached Matteo Berrettini, as her new coach until the end of the 2025 season. This announcement comes as Raducanu prepares for the Cincinnati Open, a key WTA 1000 event leading up to the US Open. Mark Petchey, Raducanu’s former coach, will remain as a close confidant.
Big Step for Raducanu
This change might come as a surprise given the recent positive form of Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion. However, according to sources, she was looking for a permanent coach because Mark Petchey had broadcasting commitments and couldn’t always travel with her all the time. Petchey works for Tennis Channel and has been influential in bringing back the stability Raducanu needed. But Raducanu needed a full-time coach for the rest of this year, and getting a well-regarded one in Francisco Roig is an exciting prospect.
The discussion between Roig and Raducanu began during Wimbledon. A successful trial period followed, leading to the formal agreement, and the Spaniard will join Raducanu for the upcoming Cincinnati Open. Roig, a former top 60 player himself, has worked alongside Rafael Nadal’s primary coaches, including Toni Nadal, Marc Lopez, and Carlos Moya, and is widely respected for his technical expertise. His most recent coaching stint was with Matteo Berrettini from 2023 to 2024, making this his first foray into the WTA Tour.
Raducanu has been playing some great tennis in the last two months, including a quarterfinal run at Queen’s and a semifinal appearance at the Citi Open in Washington. She is regaining the form that won her the 2021 US Open and will hope to benefit from Roig’s technical expertise and calming presence. With Roig’s proven track record and Raducanu’s undoubted talent, the tennis world will be watching intently to see how this combination plays out.
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
