Emma Raducanu has been with Francisco Roig for just over five months now, in a coaching relationship that shocked many when it was announced.
After all, whilst the 22-year-old has tried plenty of different coaches over the years, few expected her to then tempt the individual who helped Rafael Nadal to so many elite honours during his illustrious playing career.
Since then, both Roig and Emma Raducanu have spoken about their desire to improve the latter’s base level, rather than improve her ability to counter-punch.
The hope is that this can convert her into a regular and tangible threat on the WTA Tour, rather than the inconsistent force she is currently seen as.
What Francisco Roig shouted at Emma Raducanu at the Hobart International
Frustratingly for them, in what marked Raducanu’s first real tournament of 2026, she fell back into old patterns and blew a big opportunity to surge towards that first title since her miraculous US Open.
Having won her first-round match with ease and been granted safe passage through the next round due to a withdrawal, she faced teenage talent Taylah Preston for a spot in the Hobart International semi-finals.
Emma Raducanu won her first Grand Slam too soon – Prove me wrong!
She was the top seed and was seen as a big favourite to enjoy a deep run.
And yet, she could not bypass her Australian opponent, who swept her aside in straight sets.
This represents confusing preparation for the Australian Open, where Roig will demand much more of his player.
However, he was actually heard vocally demanding more from her mid-way through her loss to Preston, with BBC Sport reporting: “Francisco Roig could be heard urging her to ‘let it rip’ and ‘don’t be static’.”
It’s clear that she could not heed this advice, uttered whilst she was 4-2 down in the first set. She lost the match 2-6, 4-6.
Raducanu and Roig’s coaching relationship is yet to provide that big win to really kickstart their progress.
Emma Raducanu’s Australian Open draw revealed
In other news, Raducanu and the rest of those competing at the Australian Open have now been shown the path they must tread if they are to enjoy a deep run in Melbourne.
Frustratingly for the British number one, her draw is once again littered with near-impossible challenges.
Although she will start off her campaign against Mananchaya Sawangkaew, which should represent an easier start, the difficulty quickly ramps up, culminating in another projected third-round meeting with Aryna Sabalenka.
How will Emma Raducanu fare at the Australian Open after receiving this draw?
Having fought so well against the world number one at Wimbledon and Cincinnati, yet still lost both matches, this does represent a fine opportunity for Raducanu to once again push an elite player to the limit.
However, it’s frustrating that it will likely mark the end of her run at her first Grand Slam where she was seeded in years.
