Tim Henman believes Emma Raducanu may be better off without a full-time coach, despite the British No 1 reuniting informally with Mark Petchey ahead of Indian Wells. Raducanu split from Francisco Roig after a second-round exit at the Australian Open; Roig had been her ninth coach since her 2021 US Open victory.
Raducanu enjoyed a productive spell with Petchey early in 2025 on a temporary basis and has said she is happy working with hitting partner Alexis Canter, a 27-year-old British former player. She plans to retain Canter and work with Petchey in the lead-up to Indian Wells, though Petchey’s broadcasting commitments mean any arrangement is unlikely to be full-time.
Henman, speaking as a Sky Sports analyst, praised Petchey but questioned whether Raducanu needs a coach. He highlighted the importance of a clear playing identity and continuity—Henman worked with three coaches in 15 years—and said Raducanu should prioritise improving her physicality to match top players such as Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff. “An aggressive game style is how you have to play,” he said, urging her to get stronger, more resilient and hit the ball harder to reduce physical setbacks and compete at a high level for longer periods.
Mark Petchey helped inspire Raducanu’s most productive stretch of the season, including a Queen’s quarter-final and a competitive Wimbledon performance against Sabalenka. After splitting from Roig, Raducanu reached her first final since her 2021 US Open win at a tournament in Romania, and has since said she is content with her current setup.
Former Junior Wimbledon champion Laura Robson argued the coaching debate is overplayed and that Raducanu’s on-court happiness is paramount. Robson noted Raducanu and Petchey “get on really well” and share the same ideas about her game. She said the practical support a coach provides—logistics, practice scheduling and equipment management—allows a player to focus on performance, and that a clear identity on court is half the battle.
Sky Sports commentator Jonathan Overend added that Raducanu’s career has involved constant re-evaluation, which explains frequent coaching changes. He suggested the process of finding the right balance around the court is ongoing and that Raducanu is gradually working toward clarity about what she wants from her tennis and tournament life.
Emma Raducanu’s nine coaches (brief overview)
– Nigel Sears: early 2021, helped breakthrough to Wimbledon fourth round.
– Andrew Richardson: guided her through the 2021 US Open title run.
– Torben Beltz: short spell ending April 2022.
– Dmitry Tursunov: trial in summer 2022; partnership ended prematurely.
– Sebastian Sachs: late 2022, cut short by Raducanu’s surgeries.
– Nick Cavaday: 14-month stint, helped return to top 60; stepped down early 2025.
– Vlado Platenik: brief trial in March 2025 (14 days).
– Mark Petchey: provided tactical input during the 2025 grass-court season.
– Francisco Roig: appointed August 2025, split after January 2026 Australian Open exit.
Raducanu, 23, is aiming to reinstate a more aggressive style to compete consistently with the WTA’s elite, while balancing the practical and emotional support she needs around the tour.
