Emma Raducanu has added former coach Mark Petchey to her team on an informal basis while Alexis Canter continues to work with her as she aims to build on recent momentum
Emma Raducanu has quietly asked Mark Petchey to rejoin her support team ahead of Indian Wells, people close to the situation say. The arrangement is informal and short‑term — more a tactical patch than a long‑term coaching hire — and comes after Raducanu’s split with Francisco Roig following the Australian Open and a brief stint with Alexis Canter.
Why Petchey matters
Petchey is a familiar voice for Raducanu, having worked with her during an earlier stage of her development. His return is pitched as targeted, practical and match‑week focused: sharpening game plans, translating practice into on‑court decisions, and helping with pre‑match routines.
Canter remains the day‑to‑day coach, preserving continuity while Petchey supplies extra tactical nuance when needed.
What to watch (the numbers)
There are no public figures on this short arrangement, but analysts will look at a few clear metrics to judge impact: serve hold percentage, break‑point conversion, unforced errors and set‑level win rates.
Small shifts in those numbers — the kind that don’t leap off a box score but change a few key points per match — are the realistic target. Historically, players who add specialist advisers see brief bumps in media attention and commercial queries, though lasting changes rely on sustained match improvements.
The competitive context
Indian Wells is a good testing ground: longer matches, varied opponents and heightened exposure make tactical clarity especially valuable. The WTA calendar concentrates rewards in a handful of big events, so teams often bring in short‑term experts to try to squeeze performance gains out of a tight schedule. For Raducanu, the priority is consistency — turning flashes of brilliance into reliable results at the WTA‑1000 level.
Variables that will decide success
– Time to adapt: There’s little runway between Petchey’s return and the tournament. The quicker practice ideas stick in match play, the more useful the addition will be. – Communicating roles: Keeping messages from Canter and Petchey aligned is crucial. Mixed directions under pressure sap confidence. – Physical readiness: Tactical tweaks only work if the body can execute them across long matches and a grueling draw. – Opponent match‑ups: Some draws reward tactical adjustments more than others; a favorable path can amplify benefits.
Broader ripple effects
A coaching tweak like this affects more than match strategy. Media narratives shift, sponsors and broadcasters take note, and tournament promoters may reassess a player’s marketability if results stabilize. For the coaching market, these hybrid, modular arrangements — a stable core coach plus episodic specialists — are becoming increasingly common as players try to manage form without upending daily routines.
A realistic outlook
Expect incremental change rather than instant transformation. If Raducanu strings together a few strong showings at Indian Wells, the move will be judged a success: tactical adjustments would have translated into fewer errors, smarter point construction and slightly better conversion rates at key moments. If results don’t improve, the informal nature of the setup makes it easy to pivot again.
Background and setup
Petchey will attend selected training blocks and match weeks, focusing on scouting opponents, refining match plans and helping convert practice themes into tactical habits. Canter retains responsibility for technical development and daily conditioning. The aim is modular support: add precise input where needed without disrupting the established framework that Raducanu already trusts.
What this means for sponsors and stakeholders
Commercial interest tends to follow consistent performance. Short‑term coaching additions often trigger a spike in attention, but lasting value for sponsors comes from deeper runs and steady form. Agents, rights holders and broadcasters will watch match outcomes and measurable improvements in serve and return stats before changing their outlooks. The key test comes on court — Indian Wells will reveal whether the extra voice helps Raducanu convert talent into sustained results.
