The coaching situation surrounding Emma Raducanu has once again become a talking point on the tennis circuit. With the former US Open champion recently stepping away from the traditional full-time coaching model, players across the tour have begun weighing in on her decision, including Alexander Zverev. Raducanu, who has worked with several coaches since turning professional, recently parted ways with Francisco Roig after the Australian Open as she looks to rediscover the instinctive style that once brought her Grand Slam success.

When asked whether competing without a permanent coach sounded unusual, Zverev admitted that Raducanu’s situation is quite different from his own. “I think Emma is a very special case. I love her, really, but her situation with coaches is very different from mine.”

Speaking more on this, the German added, “I have been training with the same person for 28 years, so the question for me is a bit different, a very specific issue. She has a coach here, right? She’s with Mark Petchey, so it depends on her; I don’t know. In my case, I have the same people by my side, the ones I like to work with; that’s just how I am.”

Alexander Zverev’s perspective largely stems from the stability of his own support system. The German has been coached since childhood by his father, Alexander Zverev Sr., who continues to guide him on tour. His close-knit team also includes his mother, Irina Zvereva, and his brother Mischa Zverev. Over the years, he has also collaborated with prominent names such as Juan Carlos Ferrero, Ivan Lendl, and David Ferrer.

For Emma Raducanu, however, the coaching journey has been far more fluid. After her Australian Open exit earlier this year, she confirmed that Roig initiated their split following differences in tactical philosophy. Since then, the British No. 1 has opted for a more flexible setup at the BNP Paribas Open, working with Petchey on an ad-hoc basis while he continues his broadcasting duties.

At the same time, Raducanu has been training with hitting partner Alexis Canter, who has quietly supported her preparation in recent tournaments. Canter primarily serves as a practice partner and takes a backseat when Petchey is present, allowing Raducanu to keep a relaxed environment while she evaluates her long-term coaching options. 

The duo previously worked together in Washington last summer, where Emma Raducanu reached the semifinals, and again in Cluj earlier this year when she made only the second final of her career. Petchey has also assisted Raducanu in the past, notably during her run to the quarterfinals at the Miami Open last season.

While Raducanu continues to experiment with her setup, the move has drawn reactions from other players as well. Aryna Sabalenka offered a lighthearted yet thoughtful take after her own win at Indian Wells. “Yeah, I’m ready to fire all of them right now,” she joked as the press room burst into laughter.

The Belarusian then explained why she believes Raducanu’s decision could actually help her in the short term. “For me, it would be difficult. But I feel like she's been struggling a lot with finding the right coach, the right fit for her,” Sabalenka said. 

“I think maybe for her it’s good to take this little break, not rushing, like, bringing just anyone in her team. That just makes more problems, I feel like, and insecureness, you don’t have your person around. I feel like maybe for her it’s a good decision, but I feel like she’s going to obviously end up having a coach. I think she just needs to choose carefully the person that she’s gonna bring on her team.”

So far, Raducanu’s instinct-driven approach appears to be paying off. She began her Indian Wells campaign with an impressive victory over Russian qualifier Anastasia Zakharova. What did she say after the match, though?

Emma Raducanu is pleased with her start at Indian Wells

The 2021 US Open champion arrived in California looking to rediscover momentum after a three-match losing streak and her January split from coach Francisco Roig. Making her debut in a new Uniqlo kit, Emma Raducanu looked composed throughout the contest and controlled the match from the opening games.

Raducanu quickly set the tone by holding serve comfortably before breaking Zakharova early to surge into a 3-0 lead. Her aggressive returning proved decisive, as she repeatedly stepped inside the baseline to disrupt Zakharova’s rhythm and dictate rallies. The Brit maintained relentless pressure throughout the first set and carried that momentum into the second, where she capitalized on a double fault in the seventh game to earn three break points and convert the second for a decisive advantage.

Although Zakharova managed a brief response by breaking Raducanu as the Brit served for the match, the momentum quickly swung back. Raducanu immediately regained control with a break of her own before closing out the match in straight sets to book her place in the round of 32. The composed display marked one of her most convincing performances of the early 2026 season.

Speaking afterward with Sky Sports, Emma Raducanu expressed satisfaction at seeing her recent work in practice translate onto the match court. “Yeah, it was a really good match. I'm so pleased with it. You know, it's not easy. I haven't played a match yet here, and my opponent's played three,” she said.

 “So you always know about that dynamic going in. But I was really pleased with the prep I'd done for the last week and felt like my game was heading in a better direction. So for me to have seen that proof on the match court, it was really rewarding, and I'm just really happy with it.”

A key area of improvement for Emma Raducanu has been her return game, something she believes can significantly influence the outcome of matches. “That was a great kind of show of, I guess, my game today. I think I played really well, and it was nice to see the things that we've been working on on the practice court transfer,” she explained. 

“For me, returning is such a big strength of mine, and I think when I'm returning well, it makes me a different player to kind of play against compared to when I'm not. I feel like in the last couple of months I've been a bit loose on return games and haven't quite found that rhythm. So I don't think it's perfect yet, but I think it's definitely a lot better than where I was feeling.”

Raducanu also highlighted the energy from the crowd in Stadium 4, noting how the diverse support helped her during the match

Despite the comfortable win, Raducanu insisted her focus remains on rebuilding consistency rather than chasing immediate results. Her next opponent could be sixth seed Amanda Anisimova, who faces Anna Blinkova in the second round. While acknowledging the challenge that lies ahead, Raducanu maintained that her priority is continuing to improve her level. How far do you think Emma Raducanu can reach at the 2026 Indian Wells Masters?

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Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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