Emma Raducanu Reunites With Former Mentor For Indian Wells & Miami

The 2021 US Open champion has brought back her ex-coach Mark Petchey on a trial basis ahead of the upcoming WTA 1000 events.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 2:22am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Emma Raducanu has decided to reunite with her former coach, Mark Petchey, ahead of the WTA 1000 Indian Wells Open. The move comes almost a month after Raducanu parted ways with her previous coach, Francisco Roig, following her second-round loss at the Australian Open. Petchey previously coached the 2021 US Open winner between March and August last year and for some time in 2020. Raducanu's decision to hire a coach came just a day after she said she didn't need one and wasn't actively looking for one.

Why it matters

Raducanu's coaching changes have been closely watched as she looks to regain the form that led to her surprise US Open triumph in 2021. The reunion with Petchey, who has a clear vision for how Raducanu should play, could be a crucial step in her development as she aims to climb back up the rankings.

The details

Petchey has been brought on to the Brits' camp on a trial basis, and it remains unclear whether he will extend his tenure beyond the Indian Wells and Miami Open. Raducanu has already begun training for the Indian Wells Open, which starts on March 4.

  • In March 2020, Petchey previously coached Raducanu.
  • Between March and August 2022, Petchey coached Raducanu.
  • In January 2023, Raducanu parted ways with her previous coach, Francisco Roig, following her second-round loss at the Australian Open.

The players

Emma Raducanu

A British professional tennis player who won the 2021 US Open as a qualifier, becoming the youngest British woman to win a Grand Slam singles title in the Open Era.

Mark Petchey

A former British professional tennis player who has previously coached Raducanu and has a clear vision for how she should approach the game.

Francisco Roig

Raducanu's previous coach, whom she parted ways with following her second-round loss at the Australian Open.

Alexis Canter

Raducanu's hitting partner and coach who has been working with her since she parted ways with Roig.

Anastasia Potapova

The player who defeated Raducanu in the second round of the Australian Open, leading to Raducanu's decision to part ways with Roig.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Right now, I wouldn't say I'm actively looking for a coach. I think I had a great experience with Francis in terms of how we got on so well … the rapport was great. I think in the end, we just weren't aligning on certain key aspects. But we still maintain a really good relationship.”

— Emma Raducanu

“Right now, I have Alexis in my corner. He knows me as a person. He knows me as a player. And I've actually had some success with him in the past year in Washington [where she overcame Naomi Osaka in the second round] and Cluj … so it's going well.”

— Emma Raducanu

“I think from my perspective watching her play, she really only has one choice — she needs to stay up on the baseline, she needs to be able to redirect, and she needs to serve well. And if she can put those components on the court, she's going to give herself a chance to win big matches.”

— Mark Petchey

“Emma and I never fell out. It just got to the point where I felt I couldn't be the No 1 coach [due to his media commitments]. We still chat, we're still in good communication, she'll still run some stuff past me. I'll help her forever. I'll take a bullet for her.”

— Mark Petchey

What’s next

Raducanu has already begun training for the Indian Wells Open, which starts on March 4.

The takeaway

Raducanu's coaching changes have been closely watched, and her reunion with former mentor Mark Petchey could be a crucial step in her development as she aims to regain the form that led to her surprise US Open triumph in 2021.