Emma Raducanu’s Coach Believes Her Career Path is ‘In Reverse’

Tennis star Emma Raducanu has been told by her new coach that she needs to reset her career path, as he describes her journey so far as “living her tennis life in reverse.”

Mark Petchey, her coach and a respected BBC pundit, has come to her defense regarding her work ethic. He insists that critics should move past the extraordinary circumstances of her US Open victory, arguing that the sport has changed significantly since then.

Raducanu, aged 22, is now focusing on the grass court season after suffering a comprehensive 6-1, 6-2 defeat on clay to defending champion Iga Swiatek at the French Open.

Her astonishing victory at the US Open four years ago, achieved at the age of 18 and on her tournament debut, set incredibly high expectations, potentially placing excessive pressure on her.

Petchey, 54, highlighted changes in the game, specifically mentioning that tennis balls are now “four times heavier than they were back in 2021.”

Having begun coaching her since the Miami Open in March and following a focused training block in LA, he has communicated to her team that he is prepared to step aside if he is not considered the most suitable person to guide her forward.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Petchey stated: “From my point of view, it’s tough on Emma at the moment.”

“I feel as though everybody’s still living in 2021. The game has changed massively.”

“The balls are four times heavier than they were back in 2021, and Emma isn’t one of the biggest hitters out there.”

“If you can’t hit the ball through the court effectively, particularly on a windy, heavy clay-court day against someone like Iga, you’re going to face significant trouble.”

“Listen, on hard courts and grass, that gap is considerably narrower in my opinion right now compared to her match against Iga in Australia.”

“She understands what she needs to do, and it will take a significant amount of time.”

“My consistent message to her since Miami has been: `You are effectively starting your career now.`”

“Everyone will judge you based on what happened in 2021, but for me, the reality is I want to see you build a typical career from this point, where you are evaluated over the next couple of years.”

“Like other players – Jack (Draper), Jacob Fearnley, Sonay (Kartal). Unfortunately for Emma, her career has unfolded in the reverse order of this typical progression.”

`IT HAS BEEN BETTER`

Andy Murray’s former coach explained: “Since Miami, when I began assisting Emma in an improvised role, the one thing I`ve emphasized is that she must close the gap between herself and the top players.”

“She doesn`t need me just to help her hover between 20 and 50 in the world – and if I’m not the best option, then she needs to find the best option.”

“It`s widely known that we worked on her service motion in Los Angeles. It`s a longer motion. I believe it has shown improvement.”

“But like any technical changes, it requires time to fully integrate, and it may not perform optimally immediately, especially when playing on major courts.”

“Consider someone like Daniil Medvedev; he hasn’t won a tournament for two years.”

“The game has changed; the balls have changed. For a player like Emma to generate pace and compete, she needs to find a way to feel confident she can make an impact against players like Coco (Gauff), (Aryna) Sabalenka, and Iga.”

“That’s my role. If I`m not effective at this, in figuring out if I can help her, or if someone else could…”

“Given what she has experienced over the past four years, developing the ability to get behind the ball more quickly allows for more effective shot-making. There have been many areas of improvement.”

“I`m growing weary of hearing people claim she doesn`t work hard.”

“I spent ten months with her in 2020, and I’ve spent every possible day with her since Miami. Not once has she failed to put in a full day`s work.”

“Regarding showing up daily and putting in a solid effort, she has done so consistently. Therefore, I want that myth debunked permanently.”