Emma Raducanu reunites with Mark Petchey for Indian Wells Masters
Emma Raducanu is set to reunite with Mark Petchey for the Indian Wells Masters 1000 event, bringing back a familiar face as she seeks to revive her 2026 campaign, reports BritPanorama.
The British No 1 ended her partnership with Francisco Roig, known for coaching Rafael Nadal, following a challenging start to the season punctuated by a second-round elimination at the Australian Open. This setback has prompted the 23-year-old to reassess her coaching arrangements.
According to *The Times*, Raducanu will receive temporary guidance from Petchey during the California tournament, despite ruling out any permanent appointment in the near future. Since parting ways with Roig, she has been collaborating informally with former professional Alexis Canter, who aided her during her run to the Transylvania Open final earlier this month.
While Raducanu has announced her role as a global brand ambassador for Uniqlo, she has indicated that securing a permanent coach is not her immediate focus. Canter will continue working alongside her, given his familiarity with her game and personality, which she has valued greatly.
The duo previously collaborated during the Miami Open last year and enjoyed a spell of success on clay and grass, highlighted by a quarter-final appearance at Queen’s and a competitive match against world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon. Their four-month collaboration concluded when Petchey was instrumental in connecting Raducanu with Roig.
Beyond the professional aspect, Raducanu and Petchey share a close personal connection, and she has often referred to him as integral to her career. Petchey has expressed continued support for her, maintaining regular contact even outside their formal arrangement, and reaffirmed his commitment during an interview, stating, “I’ll help her forever. I’ll take a bullet for her.”
Raducanu’s decision to bring back Petchey reflects her desire to surround herself with trusted figures as she aims to rediscover a more liberated and attacking style of play. After a promising performance in Romania, where she reached the final in Cluj, her disappointing first-round exit at the Dubai Open due to illness added to her challenges. Indian Wells now represents a crucial opportunity for Raducanu to build momentum heading into the spring hard-court swing.
In the fast-paced world of tennis, where dynamics shift rapidly, Raducanu’s return to familiar ground is a reminder of how pivotal a strong support system can be in navigating the highs and lows of the sport.
