Emma Raducanu Finds Her Rhythm in an Informal Coaching Set-Up with Mark Petchey

British Star Emma Raducanu Enjoying Stability and Growth Through Informal Coaching Set-Up Ahead of Madrid Open Return

Emma Raducanu has always danced to the beat of her own drum. From her unforgettable breakthrough at the 2021 US Open to her more turbulent spell in the seasons that followed, the 22-year-old has rarely followed the script others expect from her. Now, as she prepares to return to action at the Madrid Open, Raducanu has made it clear she’s in no rush to change that tune—particularly when it comes to her coaching situation.

After a string of coaching changes and temporary partnerships, the British No. 2 has decided to pause her search for a full-time coach and continue working with Mark Petchey on an informal basis. And if her quarter-final showing in Miami last month is anything to go by, it’s a decision that’s already starting to pay off.

A Casual Connection That’s Clicking

Jane O’Donoghue and Mark Petchey watch Emma Raducanu at the Miami Open

Petchey, a former coach of Andy Murray and one of the more familiar faces in British tennis, was initially brought in on a casual basis for the Miami Open. But after Raducanu produced her best tennis of the season, reaching the last eight in a stacked field, the idea of keeping things casual suddenly seemed far more appealing than chasing another coaching commitment.

“I’m happy with the set-up going forward right now—it’s been working well,” Raducanu said ahead of her return to the WTA Tour in Madrid. “I like him a lot and I’ve known him since before the US Open, so it’s nice to have familiar faces around.”

That familiarity, she says, is key. Tennis is as much a mental game as a physical one, and for Raducanu, the comfort of having someone she trusts has been just as valuable as any tactical input.

“We’re keeping things informal for now and it’s been working,” she added. “He’s someone I’ve known for a long time and I do feel like I can trust him.”

Informal Coaching Set-Up Offers Balance and Flexibility

While Raducanu clearly appreciates Petchey’s tennis insight, his limited availability due to his TV broadcasting commitments means the pair have to work flexibly. In Madrid, for example, he’ll be fitting her around his other roles. But Raducanu seems unfazed by the lack of a rigid schedule.

“For now there is no real thing set in stone,” she said. “We’re taking it week by week and he’s helping me as much as he can alongside his current commitments.”

This relaxed, informal coaching set-up might not be conventional, but for Raducanu, it’s offering something she’s rarely had since her US Open triumph—a sense of stability.

Since that magical run in New York, Raducanu has worked with a revolving door of coaches, including Nigel Sears, Andrew Richardson (who guided her through the US Open), Torben Beltz, Dmitry Tursunov, Sebastian Sachs, and most recently Nick Cavaday and Vladimir Platenik. None of those partnerships endured for long.

Now, the focus seems to have shifted from finding “the perfect coach” to simply finding what works for her right now. And what’s working, it turns out, is an open, less pressured, and more collaborative approach.

Recharging in LA: A Different Kind of Preparation

After Miami, Raducanu made the decision to skip Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup tie in order to pursue a personal training block in Los Angeles—a move that, again, raised eyebrows but seems to have done her plenty of good.

Working with Petchey for ten days in California, Raducanu combined intense training with mental recharge. Hiking in the mountains, yoga classes after hitting sessions, and the chance to step away from the spotlight all contributed to what she described as a “bubble” of focus and peace.

“I’m happy with [the training block] and how I’m feeling on the court right now,” she said. “I think I did some great work on my game and I’m looking forward to testing it on a match court.”

Crucially, it wasn’t just the physical work that made the LA trip so valuable. Raducanu also praised the “thought-provoking” nature of her conversations with Petchey, and the way he challenges her both on and off the court.

“He’s helped me in a lot of areas of my game and also off the court—finding things to stimulate me mentally and constantly challenging me, which I like.”

Madrid Awaits: A New Test on Clay

All eyes will be on Raducanu this week as she returns to the match court in Madrid, where she’s set to face Dutch qualifier Suzan Lamens in the first round. It will be her first outing since falling to world No. 3 Jessica Pegula in Miami.

The switch to clay brings its own challenges, particularly after a month off. But Raducanu believes she’s made the right call by taking a break and giving herself the space to prepare properly.

“I had a long start to the year with many weeks in a row and I think my body and brain needed to have a little recharge,” she explained. “With the transition to a different surface on clay, I feel I’m not at the point that I can switch surfaces in back-to-back weeks.”

By slowing down, reassessing, and choosing to keep things informal with her coaching, Raducanu appears to be carving out a new approach—one not dictated by rankings or expectations, but by personal growth and enjoyment.

Authenticity Over Optics

One of the most revealing insights Raducanu offered was about how this current environment allows her to feel “authentic.” That word—so often thrown around—seems to hit differently when it comes from someone who has experienced fame, pressure, and scrutiny at such a young age.

“I think creating a relaxed atmosphere around me helped me express myself in Miami and be more authentic,” she said.

It’s easy to forget that Raducanu is still just 22 years old, with so much tennis ahead of her. What she needs now may not be a traditional coaching team or a fixed routine. Instead, it may be this exact space to breathe, experiment, and enjoy the journey again.

And if that comes through an informal coaching set-up with someone she trusts, then maybe, just maybe, Raducanu has already found what she’s been looking for.