Emma Raducanu's Coaching Journey: A Tale of Rapid Success and Frequent Changes
Emma Raducanu has carved out a remarkable path in the world of tennis, achieving immense success in a career that, while brief, has been nothing short of spectacular. From her stunning Wimbledon debut to her historic US Open victory, her rise has captivated fans globally. However, this ascent has been accompanied by a notable series of coaching changes, with Raducanu cycling through several elite-level mentors on her way to the top. This pattern highlights the intense pressures and evolving demands of professional tennis at the highest level.
Nigel Sears: The Early Grass-Court Guide
Nigel Sears partnered with Raducanu in the lead-up to her 2021 grass-court debut, providing crucial guidance during her impressive Wimbledon run that same year. Despite this successful collaboration, the duo parted ways as Raducanu sought a coach with more extensive elite-level experience, something Sears was unable to offer at the time.
Andrew Richardson: The US Open Triumph
Andrew Richardson then stepped in to coach Raducanu for her US Open campaign, which culminated in a decisive 6-4, 6-3 win over Leylah Fernandez to claim the title. Interestingly, Richardson was reportedly on a trial contract during this period and was not retained afterward, marking a swift end to their professional relationship.
Torben Beltz: A Short-Lived Partnership
Just weeks after her US Open victory, Raducanu enlisted the help of Torben Beltz. However, their collaboration lasted only five months, as Raducanu opted to pursue a new training model with support from the Lawn Tennis Association, leading to their split.
Dmitry Tursunov: Red Flags and a Trial Period
Raducanu and Dmitry Tursunov engaged in an extended trial period during the latter half of 2022, but they separated by year's end. Tursunov later commented on "Red flags that just couldn’t be ignored," hinting at underlying issues that prompted his departure.
Sebastian Sachs: A Pity-Filled End
Following the end of her stint with Tursunov, Raducanu began working with Sebastian Sachs. Unfortunately, this partnership was cut short when her 2023 season was halted due to surgery. Sachs expressed regret, calling it a "pity" that their work together had to conclude prematurely.
Nick Cavaday: The Longest Tenure
Nick Cavaday joined Team Raducanu ahead of the 2024 season and remained for 14 months, making this the longest coaching partnership of her professional career so far. Their time together ended due to health issues on Cavaday's part, underscoring the personal challenges that can impact such relationships.
Vlademir Platenik: A Brief 14-Day Trial
Vlademir Platenik's trial with Raducanu in March 2025 lasted a mere 14 days. A spokesperson for the star explained at the time, "Emma has utmost respect for Vlado and the work they started but it wasn't quite heading in the right direction."
Mark Petchey: An Informal Arrangement
Mark Petchey, a former coach to Andy Murray, worked informally with Raducanu in early 2025. This was never intended to be a long-term commitment, serving more as a temporary advisory role.
Francisco Roig: The Current Mentor
Francisco Roig, a former coach to Rafael Nadal, teamed up with Raducanu midway through 2025 and has remained by her side since. However, after a second-round exit at the Australian Open, Raducanu admitted, "I want to be playing a different way," suggesting she might soon be on the lookout for yet another fresh coaching perspective.
This revolving door of coaches reflects the dynamic and often turbulent nature of elite tennis, where athletes constantly seek the perfect fit to enhance their game and sustain success.
