Emma Raducanu has responded to criticism over her frequent coaching changes, promising to continue emulating the British Royal Family’s approach.
The 22-year-old British No. 1 has enlisted the services of Francis Roig, the former coach of Rafael Nadal, to work alongside Mark Petchey for the upcoming U.S. Open. She has agreed to take part in the revamped mixed doubles event in New York, despite admitting to being “scared” by it.
Roig, a Spaniard, is the most recent mentor to join Raducanu’s team since she split with Andrew Richardson following her stunning victory at Flushing Meadows in 2021. Earlier this year, she parted ways with Nick Cavaday due to his health concerns and briefly teamed up with Vlado Platenik.
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However, after just one match, Petchey stepped in to assist on a part-time basis.
The constant changes have drawn skepticism from fans and commentators alike, who believe they’ve disrupted her rhythm and training routines.
But Raducanu has countered these criticisms by pointing out that many of her coaches were not full-time hires.
She claimed: “I would say, when you see things and you’re like, ‘Oh, Emma on her ninth coach’ or something. I’m like, ‘Guys, come on. Certain ones don’t count.’
“If you’ve had a trial, you don’t have to carry on after the trial. A few have been trials, a few have been other situations. And I just try and take the high road. And try to do what the royal family would do.”
Raducanu chuckled through her final statement, subtly hinting that she would follow their lead in refraining from commenting publicly on individuals or contentious issues.
However, the king himself has previously teased her about her coaching dilemmas.
When she was awarded an MBE by King Charles III in 2022, shortly after her victory at the U.S. Open, he humorously asked during a ceremony if she “had found a coach yet?”
Raducanu took the jest in stride, sharing a laugh with the king afterwards.
Following her stunning victory in New York, Raducanu received a congratulatory message from the then-Monarch Queen Elizabeth II.
The queen lauded Raducanu’s “remarkable achievement,” and the tennis star later confessed that she had framed the letter.