Emma Raducanu is set to reunite with Mark Petchey once again for her appearance at Indian Wells.
The British number one worked with Andy Murray’s former coach last year for the Miami Open, which resulted in some of her more positive performances and results in recent years.
Raducanu’s partnership with Petchey is not expected to be full-time, with the British coach’s broadcasting commitments getting in the way.
While many are excited by the prospect of Raducanu working with Petchey again, Tim Henman believes it is a mistake.
Tim Henman says Emma Raducanu could be ‘better off without’ Mark Petchey
Henman believes Petchey’s intermittent coaching will not be too much help, and the British star should instead focus on what she can change about her game herself.
“I just wonder whether she’s better off without a coach and that’s nothing against Petch. He’s someone I’ve known for a long time and he’s a very, very good coach but we know it’s not going to be a full-time appointment because Petch has his broadcast commitments,” Henman told Sky Sports.
Instead, Henman wants Raducanu to work on the aggressive nature of her game, which he believes will help her compete with the very best on the WTA Tour.
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“Emma has talked about her identity, her game style and she wants to own it. She’s been around long enough on the tour so I wonder whether that might be a good option for her but it’s her prerogative.
“I worked with three coaches in 15 years. I like the consistency and continuity and we know that coaches don’t last long working with Emma. An aggressive game style is how you have to play.
“You have got to be aggressive because if you don’t your opponent will be and for me. I want to see her build her physicality: to get stronger, more resilient, to hit the ball harder.”
Henman believes those changes could help Raducanu overcome the consistent injury issues which have held her back too.
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“And I think if she does that, that’ll mean that she has less interruptions and less little setbacks physically. She’ll be able to compete at a high level for longer periods, so if I could add one element it would be the physical side.
“Raducanu does work on her physical side. I think her tennis game is outstanding but when you think of the physicality of Sabalenka, Swiatek, Rybakina, Gauff, she’s not in the same league. The physicality is the biggest challenge.”
Raducanu will be seeded at Indian Wells, which means she will receive an automatic bye straight into the second round.
How Emma Raducanu performed under Mark Petchey last time out
Raducanu’s run with Petchey at the beginning of the 2025 season helped the British star produce some of her most consistent form to date.
She played with Petchey from the Miami Open to the Canadian Open, until she hired Francisco Roig for the backend of the 2025 season.
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That included an impressive run to the Miami Open quarter-finals, which included victories over Emma Navarro and Amanda Anisimova.
That period resulted in an upturn in form for Raducanu, seeing her win 20 matches and lose just 10. Her win rate of 66.6% was significantly higher than her overall WTA Tour win rate of 56.2%.
The confidence boost that Petchey will bring Raducanu will likely be worth its weight in gold, and the Brit will be hoping for more of the same from her coach.
