Emma Raducanu has hired Rafael Nadal‘s former coach Francisco Roig until the end of the season.
The Spaniard will be the eighth coach of Raducanu’s career and perhaps the most high-profile – given he was in the box for all 22 of Nadal’s Grand Slam titles.
Raducanu has been with old friend Mark Petchey since Miami and results have been strong, but the fact Petchey had to split his time between coaching and his broadcast commitments meant it was never a workable long-term option.
Petchey himself said in July: ‘We are very aware she needs a second coach to come on board and maybe just one coach, not me, as well.’ It appears that latter option has been chosen, although it is understood that Petchey will remain close to team Raducanu in an informal role.
Mail Sport understands discussions with Roig, 57, began during Wimbledon and there was a trial soon after. Obligations meant he was not available until this week – he was due to land on Monday evening in Cincinnati where he and Raducanu will begin preparations for the final WTA 1000 event before the US Open.
Roig, a former player who reached a career-high ranking of No 60, acted as No 2 coach to Nadal’s uncle Toni from the beginning of his career. Known as a top technical coach, he was part of team Nadal from 2005 to 2022 then spent a year as the coach of Italian former Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini from 2023-2024.
British No 1 Emma Raducanu, 22, has hired the eighth coach of her professional career
Francisco Roig, pictured (left) with Rafael Nadal in 2021, will become Raducanu’s new coach
Raducanu had been working with fellow Brit Mark Petchey on an ad-hoc basic since March
For Raducanu, this is a move away from her preference for surrounding herself with a close circle who have known her since before she won the US Open in 2021. Slovak coach Vlado Platenik was the most recent departure from this formula and he lasted just 14 days.
Roig will have to earn the trust of a young woman who does not trust easily, but if he can this could prove a fruitful partnership. The man from Barcelona spent 18 years in the inner sanctum of the most dedicated and ferocious competitor this sport has ever seen – he knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
His technical expertise will also be important for a player who is still in the early stages of her career with a few kinks to iron out, especially on the serve and forehand.
The main draw of the Cincinnati Open begins on Thursday August 7, with Raducanu, at No 38 in the live rankings, looking to get a couple of wins and earn herself a seeding at the US Open.
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Emma Raducanu hires Rafael Nadal’s former mentor as the EIGHTH coach of her career already aged just 22