Emma Raducanu’s ex-coach speaks out on ‘stubborn’ approach as telling claim made
Emma Raducanu's approach to working with her coaches has often sparked a debate.
One of Emma Raducanu’s former coaches has addressed what it’s really like working with the world No. 58. The Brit earned herself a reputation for going through coaches in quick succession. But she has since changed her approach, sticking to one mentor for the full 2024 season.
Her ex-coach Mark Petchey, who worked with Raducanu before her breakout US Open run, has now shed light on her “stubborn” approach to training. Since becoming the first qualifier in tennis history to win a Grand Slam title three years ago, Raducanu has often hit headlines for her coaching decisions.
She worked with five different mentors in the space of 18 months and previously admitted some of them couldn’t “keep up” with her constant questions. While Raducanu’s approach to coaching has often sparked a debate, one of her old mentors has praised her attitude and claimed she was one of the best players to work with.
Petchey has coached the likes of Andy Murray and Maria Sakkari. And he spent time with Raducanu while she was still doing her GCSEs. “In the 10 months we worked together, I was even more impressed by her application, desire, and her inquisitive nature to learn about the game,” the British tennis coach told Bally Casino.
“She’s stubborn in certain areas which is a great quality in tennis, you need that. “You need to have a certain self-reliance; you need to be able to put things to one side and entertain thoughts that you don’t necessarily always need to implement into your game, but you must consider things.”
Petchey has worked with some of the best in the game but he ranks Raducanu right near the top of his list of proteges. He added: “I can only talk from my experiences, but she was one of the best players that I’ve ever had as a tennis coach and I wish her the very best.”
The tennis analyst also wants to see people lay off of Raducanu, explaining that no one would have been able to handle the weight of what she achieved in 2021. “I think it’s important for her to block out the noise,” he continued.
“I think everyone’s going to have an opinion on her and broadcast it, but people are trying to insert themselves into her shoes which they have never worn before, even in their own career or life. But it is easy to say these things from the outside looking in.
“When she won the US Open back in 2021, no blueprint or manual could explain what was going to happen in her life or career after that breakthrough moment.
“When you get offers for sponsorships and endorsements as a player, it’s very hard to turn those down, especially when she was young and new to the tour. There are very few players that would have done anything differently.”
