Emma Raducanu identifies coach she works 'really well' with ahead of Indian Wells, British No. 1 wants to 'tap into a few people'
ByTNT UK
Updated 05/03/2026 at 12:31 GMT
British No. 1 Emma Raducanu has outlined the coach she works "really well" with ahead of her Indian Wells clash with Anastasia Zakharova on Friday. The 23-year-old parted ways with Francisco Roig, her seventh full-time coach, back in January, reportedly due to a disagreement over her playing style following her frustrating Australian Open second-round exit to Anastasia Potapova.
'Lost' Raducanu must focus on 'physical' side of game after disappointment - Expert reaction
Video credit: TNT Sports
Emma Raducanu has spoken highly of a coach she works "really well" with ahead of her Indian Wells clash with unseeded Russian Anastasia Zakharova on Friday.
The British No. 1 split with Francisco Roig following her second round exit in straight sets at the hands of Anastasia Potapova at the Australian Open in January.
The Spaniard, who helped Rafael Nadal win 16 of his 22 major tennis titles, began working with Raducanu last August.
However, Raducanu’s disappointing showing Down Under, combined with a disagreement over her playing style, saw the player and coach part ways.
"Thank you for our time together. You have been more than a coach to me and I will cherish the many good times we spent together on and off the court," the 23-year-old posted on Instagram at the time.
"While we have come to the conclusion together that we ought not to move forward, please know I am very grateful for all you have taught me and fond of our time shared."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/01/21/image-51e253fb-c4b9-4ee5-9069-d2592323c5e0-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Raducanu admits she 'wasn't feeling good at all' in early defeat
Video credit: TNT Sports
And as attention turns to Raducanu’s next coach, Mark Petchey is reported to be at the top of the list.
The 55-year-old has previously worked with Raducanu, doing so last March as the Brit exited Indian Wells at the quarter-final stage to American Jessica Pegula.
Petchey, who would have been at Indian Wells as a broadcaster, has been working with Raducanu on the court on a day-to-day basis, and it’s now possible he will act as an ad-hoc coach during the tournament.
Raducanu admitted she asked for Petchey’s assistance, and that she has already noticed an improvement in her game.
"I work really well when I'm with him," Raducanu revealed this week. "I'm really happy to be on the court and just really enjoy it overall. I'm not sure, going forward, what it will look like."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/01/21/image-89980a84-4727-4e69-86c0-8aa95b6f82ed-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Highlights: Raducanu exits Australian Open with shock loss to Potapova
Video credit: TNT Sports
Raducanu to 'tap into a few people'
Petchey, though, isn’t the only coach that Raducanu is considering, with the young tennis star stating that she is going to "tap into a few people" in order to help rediscover her best form.
"Right now, it's more about bringing my instincts back out, getting back in touch with myself," Raducanu stated on Thursday.
"I have had a lot of people telling me what to do, how to play, and it hasn't necessarily fit.
"So, I want to come back to my natural way of playing. That takes time to relearn because that's something that has been coached out of me a little bit.
"I don't necessarily want to have one coach in the role because anyone I bring in is straight away going to be scrutinised - even if it's a trial.
"I might feel the pressure to stick with them, even if it's not necessarily the right decision.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/01/21/image-02a3a2c8-017f-4237-84d4-29ec7e2173a5-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Watch as Britain's Raducanu is knocked out in second-round shock
Video credit: TNT Sports
"I would love to have a coach that works well, but I don't think it's necessarily going to be easy to find one person and they are going to check every box.
"I definitely have my mind open to it. It's just that I would rather someone not come in and tell me 'let's do this', and I disagree with it but have to listen to them.
"So far Alexis [Canter] has been really good, but I am definitely going to tap into a few people here and there."
Watch and stream live tennis - including the 2026 French Open - on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement