Emma Raducanu urged to ‘commit’ to permanent coach as Martina Navratilova issues verdict

Emma Raducanu has been urged to “commit” to a long-term coach and “take charge” of her own life by tennis legend Martina Navratilova.  World No 45 Raducanu has been working with Mark Petchey on an informal basis since the Miami Open in March, which has led to an upward trend in her form.  Before Petchey, the 2021 US Open champion had formed an established relationship with Nick Cavaday, though he had to step back after a year-long partnership due to health issues.

Prior to hiring Cavaday, the 22-year-old had gone through a string of short-term partnerships with the likes of Torben Beltz, Dmitry Tursunov, and Andrew Richardson, who coached her during her US Open win.  Raducanu has found some stability under Petchey, though he has ruled out the possibility of becoming her permanent coach due to his long-standing media commitments.  “I have some other commitments I can’t get out of,” said Petchey on the Grand Slam Daily podcast.  “Look, we are very aware she needs a second coach to come in on board, and maybe just one coach, not me as well.  “All I am trying to do here is try to facilitate the best possible environment for Emma to produce the tennis that she can, whether that involves me or doesn’t involve me, it’s really not a question I’m worried about.”

Raducanu’s hard-court summer begins with action at the WTA 500 event in Washington next week, where she could potentially face the likes of Jessica Pegula and Amanda Anisimova.  And, following on from her run to round three at Wimbledon, where she impressed despite defeat to world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka, she has been urged to trust a new coach by Navratilova.  “Commit to a year,” said Navratilova, speaking to Sky Sports News.  “If you like the person, if you know them and what they can bring to your game, then you need to really buy in and stick with it and make sure you’re doing your part as far as training, fitness, eating all of that.

“She’s got the talent, and she did play better tennis against Sabalenka. She’s going in the right direction now.  “She needs to stick with somebody longer because when you work with somebody, it takes a while for them to incorporate into their game and then get the results.  “When you start a new training regime, you don’t immediately go faster or get stronger. I just think she needs to really take charge of her life, make sure that she’s the one that’s making all the decisions for herself, and then stick with somebody.”

Raducanu dropped down five places in the WTA Rankings after losing to Sabalenka in round three at the All England Club, having made the fourth round as a wildcard back in 2024.  The Brit has quarter-final points to defend at the Citi DC Open in the US capital, which starts next Monday, though she has a significant opportunity to improve her ranking after that.  After DC in 2024, Raducanu played just two more WTA-level events across the season, due to a range of injury and fitness concerns, though she is committed to a stronger schedule this hard-court summer.  Raducanu has been as high as world No 36 in 2025, and achieved her career-high ranking of world No 10 back in July 2022.