Emma Raducanu’s former coach Mark Petchey has expressed his belief that it will pose challenges for the British tennis sensation to secure another Grand Slam victory. However, he remains confident that with adjustments to her playing style against formidable opponents known for their powerful shots, she can achieve success once more.
Raducanu faced a disappointing defeat in straight sets against Elena Rybakina in the third round of the US Open, despite a promising start at Flushing Meadows. The 22-year-old was defeated 6-1, 6-2 by the Kazakhstani player, ending her aspirations of claiming another major title, four years after her remarkable triumph at the same event that catapulted her to stardom.
Following her previous success, Raducanu has worked with various coaches to refine her game and regain her competitive edge. Earlier this year, she collaborated with Mark Petchey on an interim basis before hiring Francis Roig, a former coach of Rafael Nadal, for the US Open campaign. Despite a strong start, she did not achieve the desired results.
Petchey emphasized that Raducanu’s key areas for improvement include her baseline game and maintaining a consistent serve, which could enhance her performance against players like Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, and Amanda Anisimova, who are known for their powerful play styles.
He highlighted, “Emma’s strategic approach to winning matches involves redirecting the ball from the baseline, creating opportunities through movement, and forcing opponents to adjust continuously. Improving these aspects will be crucial for her future success.”
Petchey acknowledged the tough competition in the current era of tennis dominated by big hitters and emphasized the importance of Raducanu’s continuous development and adaptation to overcome challenges posed by such opponents.
Raducanu’s upcoming focus will be on the Korea Open in Seoul, where she received a wildcard entry. This decision followed her unexpected choice to opt out of representing Great Britain at the Billie Jean King Cup finals in China.
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