Raducanu’s Coach Believes She’s Had a “Reverse” Career Trajectory

Tennis star Emma Raducanu has been advised by her new coach, Mark Petchey, that she needs to effectively reset her career path. Petchey, who is also a respected BBC pundit, suggested that her journey so far has been like “living her tennis life in reverse.”

Petchey defended Raducanu`s dedication, arguing that critics should move past her unexpected US Open triumph, as the sport has evolved significantly since that fairytale victory.

The 22-year-old is now transitioning to the grass court season following a tough 6-1, 6-2 defeat to reigning champion Iga Swiatek on the clay courts at the French Open.

Her famous win at the US Open four years ago, as an 18-year-old debutante, undoubtedly raised expectations and perhaps placed undue pressure on her.

Petchey, 54, pointed out that the nature of tennis balls has changed, claiming they are now “four times heavier than they were back in 2021.”

Having coached Raducanu since the Miami Open in March, including a significant training period in Los Angeles, he has assured her team that he is prepared to step aside if he is not the right coach to guide her forward.

Speaking on TNT Sports, Petchey commented: “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 put the ball through the court particularly on a windy, heavy clay-court day against someone like Iga, you’re going to get into all sorts of trouble.”

“Listen, on hard and grass that gap is a lot closer in my opinion right now compared to where Emma was in Australia against Iga. She knows what she’s going to have to do and it’s going to take a long time.”

“My mantra to her since Miami has been: You know, you’re starting your career now. Everyone is going to judge you on what happened in 2021 but the reality for me is, I’d like to see you start building a normal career from here, where you get judged in a couple of years.”

“Like Jack (Draper), Jacob Fearnley, Sonay (Kartal), all of these people. That’s where, unfortunately for Emma, she’s living her career in reverse.”

Petchey, originally from Essex, is expected to have more time during the grass court season to work with Raducanu on the practice courts. He has already implemented subtle changes, particularly concerning her choice of racquet strings.

Raducanu, who is projected to rise to 37th in the world rankings, has faced numerous injury setbacks since her £1.8million US Open triumph.

Petchey was quick to dismiss the idea that she lacks work ethic, calling it a “myth” that she avoids putting in the necessary hours.

`IT HAS BEEN BETTER`

Andy Murray`s former coach stated: “Since Miami, when we improvised and I started helping Emma, it has been the one thing I’ve said to her – she has got to close the gap between the best players.”

“She doesn’t need me to sit around 20 and 50 in the world – and if I’m not the best choice, then she needs to find the best choice.”

“The one thing that everybody knows is that we worked on her service motion over in Los Angeles. It’s a longer motion. I think it has been better.”

“But like any changes, it takes a while to bed in, particularly when you go out on one of the biggest courts in the world, it may not fire as well.”

“You look at somebody like Daniil Medvedev, he hasn’t won a tournament for two years.”

“The game has changed. These balls have changed. For somebody like Emma to move the ball, she has to find a way to be able to feel as though she can have an impact against players like Coco (Gauff), (Aryna) Sabalenka, Iga.”

“That’s my job. If I’m not good enough at it, in finding whether I can do it, or somebody else can do it…”

“When you’ve been through what she has been through in the last four years, there’s an ability to get behind the ball a bit quicker and therefore make something more happen with it. But lots of improvements.”

“I’m a little tired of hearing people say that she doesn’t work hard. I spent ten months with her in 2020, and I’ve spent every day that I can with her since Miami, and not once has she not put in a full day shift.”

“In terms of turning up every day and putting in a good shift, she’s done it every single time. So, I’d like to bury that myth where it belongs.”