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Emma Raducanu, currently ranked 24th in the world, is focusing on reconnecting with her natural style of tennis. The British number one, winner of the 2021 US Open, has expressed openness to working with a full-time coach again but is cautious about how such a relationship might affect her playing freedom. After parting ways with Francisco Roig following a disagreement over playing style after the Australian Open in January, Raducanu is determined to regain her instincts on court without being confined to a prescribed approach.
Reflecting on her coaching experiences, Raducanu shared with BBC Sport that she has frequently been told how to play in ways that did not align with her instincts. She emphasized the importance of “bringing my instincts back out, getting back in touch with myself,” noting that this process requires time and effort to reverse some of the coaching influences she feels have stifled her natural game. While she remains open to having a coach, it’s vital for her that any collaboration allows her the freedom to play in a way that feels authentic, rather than following directions she may internally disagree with. Alexis Canter, who has been assisting her recently, has so far been a positive presence in this journey.
Mark Petchey, who previously coached Andy Murray early in his career, is supporting Raducanu on a flexible, day-to-day basis during her time at Indian Wells. Though his involvement isn’t a full-time commitment, Petchey has been helping her during practice sessions, offering guidance that Raducanu values. She expressed appreciation for this arrangement, saying, “I work really well when I’m with him” and that she feels more enjoyment on the court these days. Petchey’s return to Raducanu’s team follows his previous stint in spring last year, when she made notable progress including a quarter-final appearance in Miami and reaching the fourth round in Rome.
Ahead of her second-round match at Indian Wells against qualifier Anastasia Zakharova, Raducanu is aiming to bounce back after a tough spell in the Middle East, where she did not secure a win in Doha and Dubai due to a chest infection. Now healthy, she has had ample time to acclimatize to the desert conditions and Californian climate. Raducanu believes that trusting her natural instincts—taking the ball early and hitting hard to the corners as she did in her teenage years—will be key to improving her rankings. Regardless of which coaches or advisers are by her side, she is committed to playing in a way that feels genuine to her own style
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