Why Raducanu Put Her Trust in Nadal’s Ex-Coach Roig

Since bursting onto the scene as a teenage qualifier at the 2021 US Open, Emma Raducanu’s story has been one of sudden stardom, injury setbacks, and a constant search for the right mentor. At just 22 years old, the British star has already cycled through more coaches than some players do in their entire careers.

Now, however, there’s a sense that she may have found someone who truly fits. Francisco Roig – the Spaniard best known for helping Rafael Nadal capture all 22 of his Grand Slam titles – is now the man in Raducanu’s corner. For the world number 35, heading into another US Open, this feels like more than just another coaching appointment. It feels like a calculated step towards building the technical and mental foundations to climb back among the elite.

Why Raducanu Chose Nadal’s Ex-Coach

Ask anyone who knows Francisco Roig, and one answer comes quickly: his technical knowledge is second to none.

The 57-year-old Catalan, a former pro himself, began working alongside Nadal back in 2005 as a secondary coach to Uncle Toni. Over 17 years, he helped shape one of the greatest careers the sport has ever seen, fine-tuning details that transformed Nadal from a prodigy into an all-time great.

When Roig left the team in 2022, Nadal himself praised his influence, saying he made him “better and better.” Toni Nadal echoed that view, recently telling BBC Sport that Roig can help Raducanu rediscover her best tennis by sharpening her technique.

“In today’s game everyone hits the ball fast,” Toni explained. “But tennis is about power and control. If you hit the ball hard without good technique, it’s tough to put six shots in a row inside the court. This is where Francis can make the difference.”

For Raducanu, who has relied on creativity and fight rather than consistent shot-making, that guidance could be crucial.

Building Again After Injuries

The past two years have been anything but smooth. Following wrist and ankle surgeries in 2023, Raducanu missed much of the season. When she did return, her form was erratic, though there were signs of her rediscovering the old spark.

In Washington this summer, she reached a WTA semi-final. At Queen’s and Miami, she made the quarter-finals. These results, while not headline-grabbing, were important steps forward. More telling, however, was her growing confidence and the joy she seemed to rediscover on court.

Still, everyone around her knew she needed a steady, permanent voice guiding her tennis. After Nick Cavaday stepped down for health reasons and Mark Petchey filled in briefly, Raducanu and her team set their sights on Roig.

Roig Coaching Style

Emma Raducanu takes instruction from Francisco Roig during her Cincinnati Open match against Aryna Sabalenka

So, what makes Roig stand out? Former Spanish No.2 Feliciano Lopez, who worked with him for years, puts it simply: “He’s patient but also demanding. He will push you until whatever needs fixing is fixed.”

Lopez also highlights Roig’s drills – practical, specific, and tailored to the player. Unlike many coaches who pore over video footage, Roig relies on his sharp eye. His friend Jordi Vilaro, who co-owns the BTT Academy with him, describes it best:

“He can see things other coaches can’t see in a thousandth of a second. Every player who trains with him hits the ball better, cleaner.”

This attention to detail is exactly what Raducanu has been seeking. Her game has always been about instinct, improvisation, and guts. But in the long grind of the WTA Tour, having stronger technical foundations could be the difference between the occasional upset and consistent deep runs at big events.

Early Signs of the Raducanu–Roig Partnership

The first glimpse of their partnership came at the Cincinnati Open. Raducanu and Roig put in long practice sessions, often multiple times a day. The results were immediate. She swept aside Olga Danilovic, then pushed world number one Aryna Sabalenka to the brink in a thrilling encounter.

Though she fell just short, her level impressed many, including Roig himself. After her win over Danilovic, he told Vilaro how much he was enjoying their work: “It’s amazing, I like working with this player a lot because she loves to be on court. We spent two hours training just the return, return plus second shot, and handling the opponent’s attack.”

That love of training, of the process itself, is exactly what Roig values most in a player. And Raducanu, for all her coaching changes in the past, has always been eager to learn. She once said she changed coaches because she asked “provoking” questions others didn’t want to answer. Roig, it seems, has no issue with that curiosity.

Can This Partnership Last?

Of course, one lingering question hangs over this new chapter: how long will it last?

Raducanu’s reputation for quickly parting ways with coaches is well known. Since her US Open triumph, she has gone through a string of experienced mentors. Some observers felt she didn’t give them enough time. Others argued the fit just wasn’t right.

This time, though, feels different. Roig’s personality – described as patient, humorous, and down-to-earth – could be just what Raducanu needs. Toni Nadal believes that bond is as important as the tennis itself: “It is important when you are with someone with a good character. If you are happy with your level, don’t change anything. If you are not, then you must change something – emotional, tactical, or technical. But you need time.”

Judging by the smiles at Flushing Meadows during mixed doubles practice with Carlos Alcaraz and his team, Raducanu and Roig appear relaxed and connected. That chemistry could be the key to making this more than just another short-term experiment.

Looking Ahead

As Raducanu heads into the US Open with Roig in her corner, optimism feels justified. Her game is sharpening, her mindset seems calmer, and the technical work is already visible. More importantly, she looks happy on court again.

Roig himself has proven time and again that he can bring out the best in his players. If his eyes are as sharp as his former colleagues suggest, and if Raducanu continues to embrace the grind, this could be the partnership that steadies her career for the long term.

For now, one thing is clear: Raducanu has entrusted her future to one of tennis’s great coaching minds. And as Feliciano Lopez summed it up, “He fixes what needs fixing.”