Emma Raducanu’s reunion with Mark Petchey has created more buzz around the star ahead of Indian Wells.
Raducanu split with Francisco Roig in January, which brought to an end their difficult six-month tenure together.
The British star’s decision to work with Petchey has been largely well received, particularly due to her resurgence in form during the last time they worked together.
Raducanu, who arrives at Indian Wells as the world number 24, has explained why she doesn’t plan to hire a new coach immediately.
Emma Raducanu is feeling the ‘pressure’ when it comes to hiring a new coach
Speaking to BBC Sport, Raducanu said she has no immediate plans to hire another full-time coach after splitting with Roig.
“Right now, it’s more about bringing my instincts back out, getting back in touch with myself. I have had a lot of people telling me what to do, how to play, and it hasn’t necessarily fit.
“So I want to come back to my natural way of playing. That takes time to relearn because that’s something that has been coached out of me a little bit.”
At which Grand Slam is Emma Raducanu most likely to win a second major title? Let us know why below 👇
Raducanu has had nine different coaches now, and she believes the media pressure is taking its toll when it comes to the hiring of a new person.
“I don’t necessarily want to have one coach in the role because anyone I bring in is straight away going to be scrutinised – even if it’s a trial.
“I might feel the pressure to stick with them, even if it’s not necessarily the right decision. I would love to have a coach that works well, but I don’t think it’s necessarily going to be easy to find one person and they are going to check every box.”
Raducanu is happy in her current situation and she believes she can still find success without a full-time coach.
“I definitely have my mind open to it. It’s just that I would rather someone not come in and tell me ‘let’s do this’, and I disagree with it but have to listen to them.
“So far Alexis [Canter] has been really good, but I am definitely going to tap into a few people here and there.”
Raducanu begins her Indian Wells campaign against Anastasia Zakharova on Friday, 5th March.
Emma Raducanu’s best-ever run at Indian Wells
Raducanu does not have the most impressive record at Indian Wells, with a 6-5 win rate ahead of the event, but she did reach the fourth round in 2023.
The run was made even more impressive as she was not seeded at the event, so she did not receive a first round bye.
Emma Raducanu won her first Grand Slam too soon – Prove me wrong!
The British star beat Danka Kovinić, Madga Linette, and Beatriz Haddad Maia to set up a blockbuster clash with Iga Swiatek.
Swiatek produced a stunning display to dispatch Raducanu in quick fashion, with the Brit winning just four games in a straight-sets mauling.
Nevertheless, the fourth round at Indian Wells is not to be sniffed at and Raducanu would likely be delighted to reach that stage in 2026.
