Greg Rusedski on Emma Raducanu’s coaching decision
Former British tennis star Greg Rusedski has suggested that Emma Raducanu might actually flourish by continuing without a coach for the remainder of this season, reports BritPanorama.
The 23-year-old brought in Francisco Roig last August in an attempt to rediscover the form that saw her claim the 2021 US Open title as a teenager. However, following a disappointing second-round exit at the Australian Open, Raducanu opted to end her working relationship with the Spanish coach.
Since her remarkable triumph at Flushing Meadows nearly five years ago, the British No 1 has battled inconsistent performances and multiple injury setbacks, including wrist surgery, and remains in pursuit of her second career title. Her 2026 campaign got off to a difficult start, with Maria Sakkari defeating her at the United Cup, and she fell at the third-round stage of the Hobart International.
Her Australian Open challenge proved equally frustrating, as she was knocked out in just the second round. It was this latest Grand Slam setback that prompted her decision to part ways with Roig. In the wake of the split, there have been encouraging signs. Although she suffered a first-round defeat at the Dubai Open, the British player showed improved form at the Winners Open in Romania, where she reached the final but was beaten 6-0 6-2 by home favourite Sorana Cirstea.
Speaking on his podcast, Off Court with Greg, Rusedski drew parallels between Raducanu’s current situation and a transformative period in Roger Federer’s career. “I remember Roger Federer going through a period by himself without a coach, and it was possibly the best thing for him,” Rusedski said. “He figured out certain things for himself and took ownership of it.”
The Swiss legend ended his partnership with coach Peter Lundgren in 2003 and spent much of the following year without a replacement. That coachless stretch proved remarkably productive, with Federer capturing three major titles: the US Open, Wimbledon and the Australian Open. Rusedski believes Raducanu’s run in Transylvania demonstrates she possesses the capability to develop her game independently.
He emphasised that the British player needs to establish clarity about her playing style and technical approach before committing to another coaching partnership. Rusedski suggested that working with a hitting partner rather than a full-time coach could prove beneficial in the interim. “A little bit of time away without a coach right now, someone who is just hitting her, might be a real positive until she finds someone who she is on the same page with week in and week out, because she has not found that person yet. Hopefully she does,” Rusedski concluded.
In tennis, as in life, the path to success is rarely a straight line, and for Raducanu, the journey continues amid uncertainty, yet the potential for growth remains ever-present.
