Emma Raducanu will be hoping to make 2026 her best yet, having laid the foundations for long-term success in the year prior.
After all, following her triumphant US Open title in 2021, injury issues have relentlessly prevented her from kicking on.
At last, in 2025, we got to see a fit and healthy Emma Raducanu performing regularly in events. Unsurprisingly, this helped her soar back up the rankings, to the point where she will now be seeded for this month’s Australian Open.
For that return to form and fitness, she likely has a few people to thank.
However, it is Francisco Roig whom she has put her faith in, with Greg Rusedski predicting why he might have taken on the challenge of coaching Raducanu.
Why Francisco Roig joined Emma Raducanu’s team theorised
Speaking to Tennis365, the former British number one called for calm when it comes to Raducanu after so many years of unwarranted negativity.
He claimed: “Her story was a little different for her because all of a sudden, she wins a Slam at 18.
What does Emma Raducanu need to improve in 2026?
“Nobody has done that in their first three majors apart from the greats of the game, so everyone is thinking Emma Raducanu will be No 1, she can win multiple majors, she can be the new face of the WTA.
“Then she didn’t have the consistency, but now with Francisco Roig, a coach I’ve actually worked with, I think she has that solidity behind her.”
Rusedski then rated her start to 2026, before theorising why Roig would have joined her team in the first place: “I thought she played a pretty good opening match against (Maria) Sakkari in the United Cup. Even though she lost, she looked in pretty good form and if she is physically in good shape, she is trending in the right direction. She is a top 30 player now, and I think that partnership (with Roig) is going to last.
“Francisco is a strong character and wouldn’t join Emma’s team unless he thought she could get deep into the second week of Slams and possibly win. I’m excited about this partnership, and I’m hoping they will continue for a long period of time and be very successful.”
When is Emma Raducanu’s next match?
The British number one began her 2026 campaign at the United Cup, which was eventually won by Iga Swiatek’s Poland.
There, Raducanu was gifted the opportunity to face Maria Sakkari, and despite suffering a first-career defeat to the Greek, she battled well in a three-set defeat in her first match in months.
Emma Raducanu won her first Grand Slam too soon – Prove me wrong!
Now, returning to normal tournament play at the Hobart International, it will be intriguing to see how she performs.
Particularly given the fact that she is the top seed in Tasmania, which will represent a unique feeling for the 22-year-old.
Raducanu has rated her level ahead of the Australian Open, but now fans will get visual proof to make up their own minds before the first major tournament of the year commences.
