Emma Raducanu Confirms She Will Not Hire a New Coach After Splitting With Francisco Roig Amid Early Season Struggles in Australia and Dubai

Emma Raducanu is making it clear she’s not hunting for a new coach, despite her recent split from Rafael Nadal’s former mentor, Francisco Roig.

The British tennis star’s coaching carousel has been the talk of the sport, with Raducanu now poised to work with familiar faces rather than continue the search for her tenth trainer in just five years.

A Brief Reunion That Didn’t Stick

Raducanu first brought Roig on board after Wimbledon last year, initially on a short-term basis.

By December, she had agreed to extend their partnership, hoping his expertise could help elevate her game. Yet, the new year brought mixed results.

Following a second-round exit at the Australian Open, the pair decided to part ways.

Raducanu described their split as amicable, emphasizing that the rapport between them had been strong but they simply weren’t aligned on crucial aspects of her development.

Alexis Canter Steps Into the Spotlight

Since the split, Raducanu has turned to Alexis Canter, a former British player, who has overseen her return to form.

Canter guided her to the Transylvania Open final earlier this month, her first final since winning the US Open nearly five years ago.

Raducanu praised Canter’s understanding of her both as a person and a player, noting that their previous work together in Washington—where she defeated Naomi Osaka and reached the semi-finals—had been productive.

She emphasized a return to fundamentals and a more aggressive style of play as her current focus.

Battling Health Challenges

Raducanu’s early tournament exits this year have been partly attributed to lingering effects from a virus she battled in Romania.

Her first-round defeat at the Dubai Open against lucky loser Antonia Ruzic highlighted ongoing fitness struggles.

She remains determined to be in peak form for upcoming events, including the prestigious Indian Wells Masters 1000, where she hopes to stake a claim for her next big title.

The Shadows of Past Incidents

Off-court challenges have also weighed on Raducanu.

Last year, during the Dubai Open, she was forced to confront a disturbing situation involving a man who had followed her to four tournaments.

The incident left her shaken and in tears, though the individual was subsequently served with a restraining order.

Despite these pressures, Raducanu acknowledges that social media abuse and public scrutiny are part and parcel of being in the spotlight.

She has adopted a philosophy of acceptance, recognizing that criticism is an inevitable side effect of success.

Raducanu’s Coaching Odyssey

Raducanu’s coaching journey has been notably turbulent.

In less than five years, she has worked with nine coaches, not counting interim or temporary arrangements:

• Nigel Sears (April–July 2021)
• Andrew Richardson (September 2021)
• Torben Beltz (November 2021–April 2022)
• Dmitry Tursunov (July–October 2022)
• Sebastian Sachs (November 2022–June 2023)
• Nick Cavaday (January 2024–January 2025)
• Vlado Platenik (March 5–18, 2025)
• Mark Petchey (March–July 2025)
• Francisco Roig (August 2025–January 2026)

Her willingness to explore different coaching styles has been a double-edged sword, offering both opportunities for growth and moments of inconsistency on court.

What’s Next?

Raducanu appears content to build on the stability Canter provides.

Her immediate goal is to regain full fitness and consistency ahead of key tournaments, including Indian Wells.

She is focusing on mastering fundamentals and adopting a more aggressive approach, aiming to recapture the form that once made her a US Open champion.

As she balances health, performance, and public scrutiny, her next moves will be closely watched by fans and critics alike.

Summary

Emma Raducanu has split with Francisco Roig and is not actively seeking a new coach, instead working with Alexis Canter, a familiar partner.

Health setbacks and early exits have affected her 2026 start, but she is optimistic about returning to form, focusing on fundamentals and aggressive play.

Off-court pressures, including past stalking incidents and social media abuse, continue to challenge her.

Raducanu’s journey reflects resilience and determination as she prepares for upcoming tournaments like the Indian Wells Masters 1000.