Raducanu splits with coach after Australian Open exit

British tennis star Emma Raducanu is once again searching for a new coach after parting ways with Francis Roig following her early exit from the Australian Open. The decision brings an end to a short partnership that began in August and adds another chapter to the former US Open champion’s often-discussed coaching journey.

Raducanu, 23, was beaten in straight sets by Austria’s Anastasia Potapova in the second round at Melbourne Park, a disappointing result that followed encouraging signs during pre-season. Shortly after the defeat, it was confirmed that Raducanu and Roig had mutually agreed not to continue working together.

Roig is one of the most respected coaches in modern tennis, having played a key role in Rafael Nadal’s extraordinary career. The Spaniard was part of Nadal’s inner circle during a period in which the 22-time Grand Slam champion won 16 major titles, making his collaboration with Raducanu one of the most high-profile coaching appointments of her career.

A Respectful Parting

Raducanu addressed the split in a heartfelt message posted on Instagram, expressing gratitude for the time they spent together.

“Thank you for our time together,” she wrote. “You have been more than a coach to me and I will cherish the many good times we spent together on and off the court. While we have come to the conclusion together that we ought not to move forward, please know I am very grateful for all you have taught me and fond of our time shared.”

Her words suggested that the decision was made amicably, even if the partnership ultimately did not deliver the long-term direction both parties had hoped for.

Tactical Differences Come Into Focus

Following her Australian Open exit, Raducanu spoke openly about her desire to change her playing style, comments that were later interpreted as signs of tension within the coaching setup.

“I want to be playing a different way,” Raducanu said. “I just want to hit the ball to the corners and hard. I feel like I’m doing all this variety, and it’s not doing what I want it to do.”

She added that she wanted to return to a more aggressive and direct approach, similar to how she played earlier in her career. While Raducanu did not directly criticise Roig, the remarks sparked speculation that player and coach were not fully aligned in terms of tactical philosophy.

Sources later confirmed to BBC Sport that these differences contributed to the decision to part ways.

Attempt to Downplay Disagreement

When questioned during the tournament about whether she and Roig were on the same page, Raducanu initially played down the idea of any conflict.

“I didn’t play how I wanted to play because I wasn’t hitting any shot particularly well,” she said. “It’s tough to take an assessment when you’re completely off. Me and Francis have done some amazing work together in the past few months and I’ve improved so many different aspects of my game.”

Despite those comments, it became clear that both sides felt it was better to move forward separately.

Another Coaching Change

Roig’s departure means Raducanu is now searching for the 10th coach of her professional career since her breakthrough in 2021. Few players at the top level have experienced such frequent changes in coaching staff, and the topic has often attracted scrutiny from fans and pundits alike.

Raducanu’s career took off in extraordinary fashion at Wimbledon 2021, where she reached the fourth round as a teenage wildcard under the guidance of Nigel Sears. Later that year, she stunned the tennis world by winning the US Open as a qualifier, coached by Andrew Richardson.

Despite that historic triumph, Richardson’s tenure lasted just two months, with the pair parting ways only weeks after lifting the trophy in New York.

A Series of Short-Term Appointments

Since then, Raducanu has worked with several coaches, often for brief periods. These include Torben Beltz, Dmitry Tursunov, Sebastian Sachs, Vladimir Platenik, and Mark Petchey, each contributing in different ways but none establishing a long-term partnership.

Her most stable period came with Nick Cavaday, her childhood mentor, who worked with her from 2024 to 2025. Cavaday’s influence was widely seen as positive, but he was forced to step away due to health issues, leaving Raducanu once again searching for continuity.

What Raducanu Wants Next

The latest split raises fresh questions about what Raducanu is looking for in her next coach. Her recent comments suggest she wants someone who will support a more aggressive, simplified game style, allowing her to dictate points rather than rely on variety and defensive patterns.

Finding the right balance between structure and freedom will be crucial as she attempts to regain consistency on tour and climb back up the rankings.

Next Tournament on the Horizon

Raducanu is next scheduled to compete at the Transylvania Open in Romania, which runs from 1 to 7 February. Whether she will appoint a new coach before then remains unclear, but the tournament offers an immediate opportunity to reset after a challenging start to the season.

With her undeniable talent and continued desire to evolve, Raducanu’s focus will be on staying healthy, building confidence, and establishing a stable support team capable of guiding her through the next phase of her career.

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