Ex-US Open champion Emma Raducanu’s new coaching | Sports News

Tennis legend Tim Henman has weighed in on Emma Raducanu’s coaching carousel, expressing that he wasn’t “overly surprised” to see Mark Petchey back in her nook on the Miami Open.

The former U.S. Open champion, at present ranked sixtieth on the planet, has been navigating the match with out a formal coach since parting methods with Vladimir Platenik after a temporary 14-day stint.

Despite the absence of a fulltime mentor, Raducanu is not flying solo in Florida. Initially, she deliberate to have her fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura and mentor Jane O’Donoghue by her facet.

Yet, it was her apply periods with Petchey, who had a short stint coaching her previous to her stellar rise in 2021, that caught everybody’s eye.

Petchey, now a Tennis Channel pundit, has been offering his help during Raducanu’s spectacular run to her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal in Miami. This surprising reunion sparked curiosity amongst tennis lovers.

Henman, set to embark on a new coaching function himself, sees logic in Raducanu’s determination to show to somebody she trusts. “Was I surprised? Yes and no,” admitted the previous world No. 4.

“I mean, Petch is at a lot of these tournaments working from a media point of view and he’s obviously worked with Emma in the past. So it kind of makes sense if she wants a little bit of input.

“I’m intrigued to grasp a little bit more in regards to the partnership and if it is one thing that’s going to final a bit longer. But Petch is aware of Emma’s sport. Petch is aware of the sport inside out, so I would not say I used to be kind of overly shocked.”

Henman has also been impressed by her efforts in Miami. “She did not play notably nicely in Indian Wells, however she caught at it, and now in Miami, with the onerous work she’s invested, she’s enjoying very, very nicely and, again, she’s bought a good alternative,” he added.

“Touch wooden she does not have any of the the little accidents that may keep her out of match play, and she will proceed to construct on this as a result of there’s no doubt in my thoughts, she’s a great participant, she needs to be back knocking on the door of high 30 seeded at Slams, high 20, if she stays healthy.”

A lot has also been made of Raducanu’s brutal attitude to coaches after she ended her trial with Platenik after a few days, but Henman trusts the 22-year-old to follow her own approach.

“It’s very a lot horses for programs and I believe Emma has been very vocal that she’s very snug switching coaches and that is her prerogative,” he said.

“I began enjoying skilled tennis type of on the finish of 1992 and to 2007, that is 15, 16 years. I had three coaches. So I just like the consistency and continuity of working with a coach for for a period of time. But which means it is proper for me, that does not imply it is proper for Emma.

“And she’s got a fitness trainer on board now, and I think that that is such an important part of giving herself the foundation to build on Tour.”

Raducanu has additionally sought advice from Henman prior to now. He continued: “Look, when she won U.S. Open, she was obviously working with Andrew Richardson and he was best man at my wedding and so I spoke to them during that fortnight and I’ve always kept in touch and spoken to Emma at different times.

“But no completely different to when Andy [Murray] was enjoying, I spoke to Andy and I communicate to Jack [Draper], I communicate to Evo [Dan Evans].

“I see them all and as I said, whenever they ask for advice, I’m always there for them. I sort of feel that’s kind of an unofficial role for British tennis, because I’ve been lucky enough to have support from the British game and I’ll always be there for the British players, both male and female.”