Can Mark Petchey reignite Emma Raducanu’s fluctuating fortunes – and what is the former US Open champion looking for in a coach?
Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has been without a permanent coach since parting ways with Nick Cavaday in January, but Petchey has emerged as the front-runner after temporarily joining her team at the Miami Open – alongside long-time mentor Jane O’Donoghue – where she reached the quarter-finals.
He will continue to work with Raducanu on an “informal” basis starting at the Madrid Open where she will open her campaign against Dutch world No 73 Suzan Lamens, who recently beat Katie Boulter during the recent Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers.
Petchey (right) was joined by Raducanu’s long-time mentor Jane O’Donoghue in the box at the Miami Open
Petchey, who reached his career-high ATP singles ranking of 80 in August 1994, is a regular contributor to the Tennis Channel, and his impact during the Miami Open was notable.
Raducanu enjoyed wins over top-10 player Emma Navarro and Qatar Open champion Amanda Anisimova before losing to fourth seed Jessica Pegula.
“We’re keeping things informal for now and it’s been working,” Raducanu said. “He’s someone I’ve known for a long time and I do feel like I can trust him.
“For now there is no real thing set in stone but we’re taking it week to week and he’s helping me as much as he can alongside his current commitments.”
Who is Mark Petchey?
Petchey reached the third round at Wimbledon in 1997
Petchey reached world No 80 in August 1994, while his best performance at a Grand Slam came at Wimbledon in 1997 when he lost to Boris Becker in the third round.
He coached an 18-year-old Andy Murray – during which time the Scot won his first ATP Tour title at the 2006 San Jose Open broke into the top 50.
He has also had success on the WTA Tour, working with Silvija Talaja, Tina Pisnik, and Greek star Maria Sakkari.
Petchey decided to move away from working with professional players after relocating to America and taking up a role with the Tennis Channel.
He has also previously worked for Amazon Prime, ITV when they had French Open broadcast rights, BBC during Wimbledon, Sky Sports, Tennis Australia and others.
It is believed that Petchey would still want to continue in this role should he start work with the former US Open winner, though it is uncertain whether that is a possibility.
Sky Sports Tennis’ Tim Henman is hopeful for titles from Radacanu in 2025, but says her career has been back to front
Can Petchey lead Raducanu to success?
When asked what Petchey had brought to the team in Miami, Raducanu said: “I think just a relaxed environment, but focused when needs to be.
“I’m someone who works really hard and can be really intense, but sometimes too intense. I guess in that way it’s harder to be extremely focused when you need to be on the match court because you’re focused from the first minute to the last.
“So I think just being able to switch off and have fun with them and play Spikeball before the match, and we just create certain routines. Yeah, they bring small doses of happiness that I guess just keep you going, the small things.
Fitness coach Yutaka Yakamura (right) goes through some routine stretches alongside Raducanu
Raducanu is keen to create a bubble as she looks for a permanent coaching presence alongside fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura. The hard-working physical trainer has previously trained the legendary Maria Sharapova.
She only played 13 events in 2024 but has already played in seven tournaments this year, with a 7-7 win-loss record. She is up to No 49 in the latest WTA rankings.
Raducanu’s coaching carousel
Andrew Richardson (left) was Raducanu’s coach at the 2021 US Open
Raducanu stopped working with Nigel Sears after her run to the second week of Wimbledon as a wild card in 2021 and then parted company with Andrew Richardson shortly after her fairytale run in New York.
She also worked alongside Torben Beltz, Dmitry Tursunov, Sebastian Sachs and Cavaday, while her most recent coach lasted just one match with Vladimir Platenik parting ways with the 22-year-old shortly after she crashed out in the opening round at Indian Wells.
Raducanu spoke about her stalker ordeal she suffered at the Dubai Championships
The Slovakian coach said the British star had been “feeling stressed” after revealing she “couldn’t see the ball through tears” and could “barely breathe” during a stalking ordeal at the Dubai Open.
“I totally understand Emma, she’s not in an easy position. The world is looking at her after the US Open and everybody is expecting, including herself, what she is going to do next,” Platenik told BBC Sport.
“So for me it’s absolutely understandable that she’s under a lot of pressure. She told me she was feeling stressed.
“She was not feeling OK, and that was her decision. I didn’t want to go into deeper communication about that. I think the player needs to feel good, and the player needs to make a decision. Sometimes you make a good decision, and sometimes bad.”
‘Every decision on big scale’
Raducanu is continuing an informal arrangement with Petchey after employing a number of coaches with little success amid form and fitness issues
Raducanu, who recently enjoyed a 10-day training block in Los Angeles with Petchey, admitted she still struggles with the scrutiny that follows every decision she makes.
“It’s really difficult, because I think every decision I make is made on such a big scale that it’s up for judgment,” she said.
“I just need to get to a place where I’m comfortable enough and secure enough in what I’m doing that it doesn’t matter what other people are saying.
“Over the last few years, that is, truthfully, something that I have been kind of toiling with, because I would care about what people think. I think just in general, in my life, like anytime someone’s upset with me or something, it affects me.”
Will clay suit Raducanu’s game?
Martina Navratilova and Henman were impressed with Raducanu’s resilience during her defeat to Jessica Pegula in Miami
Laura Robson has backed the British star to shine on clay this year with Raducanu playing only a limited clay-court programme last year, as she opted against playing in qualifying for the French Open in favour of preparing for the grass-court season.
“I’m sure Emma would like to do well on clay and grass this year and play a full schedule,” said Robson.
“Clay is great for developing all areas of the game. Tactically, it’s a great surface to learn how to turn around matches when you are behind in slower conditions.
“Clay conditions change so much depending on the weather and where you are playing.
“Madrid is always so different to Rome and it might be that one set of conditions suits Emma better than the other.”
Watch the Madrid Open – live on Sky Sports
Jack Draper will be aiming to land his second Masters 1000 titles of the year at the Madrid Open
Brits Raducanu, Jack Draper, Katie Boulter, Sonay Kartal and Jacob Fearnley are in action at the Madrid Open, while Novak Djokovic will be playing under the watchful eye of coach Andy Murray.
The biggest names in tennis will be competing for the ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 titles.
Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as the US Open in New York, live on Sky Sports in 2025 or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Smyth poised for NFL debut after elevation to Saints’ active roster
Northern Ireland's Charlie Smyth is set to make his NFL debut for the New Orleans Saints against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.The 24-year-old former Gaelic footballer has been promoted to the Saints' active roster, replacing kicker Blake Grupe. Grupe was released after missing two field goals in last week's loss to the Atlanta Falcons, his seventh and eighth failed attempts of the season. Earlier this week, the Saints signed former Cincinnati, Washington, and Cleveland kicker Cade York to their practice squad.Both York and Smyth were evaluated during training, but on Saturday the team opted to elevate Smyth, paving the way for his NFL regular-season bow. Born in Mayobridge, Smyth impressed during the preseason, converting all four of his field-goal attempts, including two from beyond 50 yards. The Saints also elevated wide receiver Dante Pettis from the practice squad to the […]
Vicario booed by own fans as Fulham pile misery on shambolic Spurs
Guglielmo Vicario was booed by his own supporters as his howler in a shambolic opening half against Fulham saw Spurs concede twice in the first six minutes with a second-half revival not enough to avoid a 2-1 defeat - which could have been much worse. Already trailing from Kenny Tete's third-minute deflected opener, a moment of madness from the Italian goalkeeper less than three minutes later gifted possession to Harry Wilson after running some 25 yards off his line, who punished his poor clearance with a stunning strike into the unguarded net. It was the earliest Spurs had conceded two goals in the history of the Premier League and enough for Spurs fans, who have seen their side win just three of their last 21 home league games, to turn on Vicario and his colleagues, booing several of his touches […]
Carnell Tate, Julian Sayin Revel In 1st Win over Michigan: ‘It Means Everything’
After losing to Michigan in his first two seasons at Ohio State (2023-24), wide receiver Carnell Tate knows what Saturday's 27-9 win meant for the Buckeyes."It means everything to us," Tate told FOX Sports College Football Reporter Jenny Taft after the game. "They came to our home and beat us last year and put on a show. So it meant everything for us to come out here and put on a show and give them a taste of what they gave us last year."After losing to Michigan in "The Horseshoe" last season, Tate took out his anger in a revenge game. He paced Ohio State with five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown on Saturday, essentially checking the only empty box left in his Buckeyes' career. As for Tate's quarterback, though, Julian Sayin has only experienced success as the Buckeyes' […]
‘A bad night’s sleep’ – Norris’ unusual plan for first title chance
Lando Norris says he is hoping for a "bad night's sleep" as he looks to seal his first F1 world title on Sunday at the Qatar Grand Prix.Norris will begin the penultimate race of the season, which starts at 4pm (build-up from 2.30pm live on Sky Sports F1), from second in behind pole-sitter and closest title rival Oscar Piastri, with the other title protagonist, Max Verstappen, in third. If Norris finishes ahead of Verstappen and outscores Piastri by at least four points, he will become world champion with a race to spare, while victory on Sunday in Qatar would guarantee the title. F1 Drivers' Championship - top three Driver Team Points 1) Lando Norris McLaren 396 2) Oscar Piastri McLaren 374 3) Max Verstappen Red Bull 371 Asked by Sky Sports F1 how he will sleep, Norris said: "Hopefully bad! […]
Touchback or TD? Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith Sparks Controversy vs. Michigan
Every big game has its big moments, and every big game also has its big controversies.For Week 14's matchup between No. 1 Ohio State and No. 15 Michigan, the controversy came in the second quarter with Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.Faced with a fourth-and-5 at the Michigan 35-yard line, Ohio State opted to keep the offense on the field, and quarterback Julian Sayin hit Smith for a go-ahead touchdown with 11:44 remaining in the first half.On replay review, Smith appeared to shuffle possession of the football with his foot out of bounds when he crossed the plane. If that were the case, it would've been a touchback. Moreover, FOX Sports Rules Expert Mike Pereira opined on the live broadcast on FOX that the call should've indeed been overturned and ruled a touchback, which would've taken the touchdown off the board.Instead, […]
‘A fight like you couldn’t believe’ – Hamilton explains Ferrari woes
Lewis Hamilton described trying to get performance out of Ferrari's car as "a fight like you couldn't believe", while Charles Leclerc said they were enduring an "unbelievably difficult" weekend, on a chastening Saturday for the team at the Qatar Grand Prix.Hamilton made his comments after Saturday's 19-lap Sprint, for which he had started from the pit lane due to set-up changes after originally only qualifying 18th. He finished only one place better off in 17th and said on the radio afterwards: "I don't know how we made the car worse". Team-mate Charles Leclerc had started in the top 10 but also struggled, despite sticking with the set-up he qualified with, with the Monegasque having numerous off-track moments on his way to 13th. Ferrari's woes - and Hamilton's in particular - then continued on into main qualifying despite another round of […]
Related
Smyth poised for NFL debut after elevation to Saints’ active roster
Northern Ireland's Charlie Smyth is set to make his NFL debut for the New Orleans Saints against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.The 24-year-old former Gaelic footballer has been promoted to the Saints' active roster, replacing kicker Blake Grupe. Grupe was released after missing two field goals in last week's loss to the Atlanta Falcons, his seventh and eighth failed attempts of the season. Earlier this week, the Saints signed former Cincinnati, Washington, and Cleveland kicker Cade York to their practice squad.Both York and Smyth were evaluated during training, but on Saturday the team opted to elevate Smyth, paving the way for his NFL regular-season bow. Born in Mayobridge, Smyth impressed during the preseason, converting all four of his field-goal attempts, including two from beyond 50 yards. The Saints also elevated wide receiver Dante Pettis from the practice squad to the […]
Vicario booed by own fans as Fulham pile misery on shambolic Spurs
Guglielmo Vicario was booed by his own supporters as his howler in a shambolic opening half against Fulham saw Spurs concede twice in the first six minutes with a second-half revival not enough to avoid a 2-1 defeat - which could have been much worse. Already trailing from Kenny Tete's third-minute deflected opener, a moment of madness from the Italian goalkeeper less than three minutes later gifted possession to Harry Wilson after running some 25 yards off his line, who punished his poor clearance with a stunning strike into the unguarded net. It was the earliest Spurs had conceded two goals in the history of the Premier League and enough for Spurs fans, who have seen their side win just three of their last 21 home league games, to turn on Vicario and his colleagues, booing several of his touches […]
Carnell Tate, Julian Sayin Revel In 1st Win over Michigan: ‘It Means Everything’
After losing to Michigan in his first two seasons at Ohio State (2023-24), wide receiver Carnell Tate knows what Saturday's 27-9 win meant for the Buckeyes."It means everything to us," Tate told FOX Sports College Football Reporter Jenny Taft after the game. "They came to our home and beat us last year and put on a show. So it meant everything for us to come out here and put on a show and give them a taste of what they gave us last year."After losing to Michigan in "The Horseshoe" last season, Tate took out his anger in a revenge game. He paced Ohio State with five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown on Saturday, essentially checking the only empty box left in his Buckeyes' career. As for Tate's quarterback, though, Julian Sayin has only experienced success as the Buckeyes' […]
‘A bad night’s sleep’ – Norris’ unusual plan for first title chance
Lando Norris says he is hoping for a "bad night's sleep" as he looks to seal his first F1 world title on Sunday at the Qatar Grand Prix.Norris will begin the penultimate race of the season, which starts at 4pm (build-up from 2.30pm live on Sky Sports F1), from second in behind pole-sitter and closest title rival Oscar Piastri, with the other title protagonist, Max Verstappen, in third. If Norris finishes ahead of Verstappen and outscores Piastri by at least four points, he will become world champion with a race to spare, while victory on Sunday in Qatar would guarantee the title. F1 Drivers' Championship - top three Driver Team Points 1) Lando Norris McLaren 396 2) Oscar Piastri McLaren 374 3) Max Verstappen Red Bull 371 Asked by Sky Sports F1 how he will sleep, Norris said: "Hopefully bad! […]
Touchback or TD? Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith Sparks Controversy vs. Michigan
Every big game has its big moments, and every big game also has its big controversies.For Week 14's matchup between No. 1 Ohio State and No. 15 Michigan, the controversy came in the second quarter with Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.Faced with a fourth-and-5 at the Michigan 35-yard line, Ohio State opted to keep the offense on the field, and quarterback Julian Sayin hit Smith for a go-ahead touchdown with 11:44 remaining in the first half.On replay review, Smith appeared to shuffle possession of the football with his foot out of bounds when he crossed the plane. If that were the case, it would've been a touchback. Moreover, FOX Sports Rules Expert Mike Pereira opined on the live broadcast on FOX that the call should've indeed been overturned and ruled a touchback, which would've taken the touchdown off the board.Instead, […]
‘A fight like you couldn’t believe’ – Hamilton explains Ferrari woes
Lewis Hamilton described trying to get performance out of Ferrari's car as "a fight like you couldn't believe", while Charles Leclerc said they were enduring an "unbelievably difficult" weekend, on a chastening Saturday for the team at the Qatar Grand Prix.Hamilton made his comments after Saturday's 19-lap Sprint, for which he had started from the pit lane due to set-up changes after originally only qualifying 18th. He finished only one place better off in 17th and said on the radio afterwards: "I don't know how we made the car worse". Team-mate Charles Leclerc had started in the top 10 but also struggled, despite sticking with the set-up he qualified with, with the Monegasque having numerous off-track moments on his way to 13th. Ferrari's woes - and Hamilton's in particular - then continued on into main qualifying despite another round of […]
Be the first to leave a comment