Emma Raducanu Reveals Why Rafael Nadal’s Ex-Coach Decided to Stop Working with Her

Emma Raducanu is in Indian Wells and will start her campaign against Anastasia Zakharova in the first round. Ahead of kick-starting her campaign in the third WTA 1000 of the season, the Brit revealed the reason behind her split with Rafael Nadal‘s former coach, Francisco Roig.

Raducanu hired Roig in August last year. But following her Australian Open exit (Raducanu lost to Anastasia Potapova in the second round). The split was anticipated, given that Raducanu, since winning the 2021 US Open, has frequently changed her coaches.

But it was not Raducanu who wanted to end the partnership with Roig, even though after the split, she said they were in disagreements over how she wanted to work. During her interview with Sky Sports, the 23-year-old revealed the reason Roig decided to stop working with her.

After Australia, me and Francis were talking. We have a great relationship, we could have a really open and honest conversation. He ended up saying, ‘Look, I don’t think this is going in the way we both want it to,’ so he ended it really. In a way, I think we had a few moments where we weren’t agreeing on a few things. Other than that, we still maintain a great relationship, and I’ve seen him here, it’s been great to a see a familiar, great face around.

Raducanu later re-hired Mark Petchey, who worked with her for four months in 2025. Petchey, however, will not be working as a full-time coach.

Gigi Salmon makes her feelings known on Emma Raducanu’s health struggles

Former WTA player and current Sky Sports presenter Gigi Salmon is hoping to see Emma Raducanu overcome her health struggles. Salmon is convinced that a fit and healthy Raducanu will again start producing decent performances.

Raducanu contracted a virus during the Transylvania Open, where she reached the final, only to lose to Sorana Cirstea. It was her best performance since her fairytale run at Flushing Meadows in 2021.

They said in Cluj that she had a chest infection, and I was working on the next two tournaments when she retired and then lost in the Middle East. I was wondering if it was the hangover from the chest infection. You are probably told not to play and to rest, but you want to play and try and put it behind you and chase the ranking points.

Because of her illness, Raducanu couldn’t give her best during the Middle East Swing. She first handed the walkover to Camila Osorio in the first round of the Qatar Open. In her opening-round match at the Dubai Tennis Championships, Antonia Ruzic knocked her out in three sets.

Is there an element of stress in there for Emma? I’ve asked a few ex-players to try and get my head around what it is. If it continues to happen, I will fall one way than the other. Chest infections can linger, but if this pops up in Indian Wells, then questions will be asked because it will start to be a run of things.

Gigi Salmon added

Raducanu has made the fourth round at Indian Wells once, in 2023. Last year, she crashed out in the opening round.

Raducanu produced her best performance in a WTA 1000 event at the 2025 Miami Open, where she reached the quarterfinals and lost to eventual runner-up Jessica Pegula. Apart from the Miami Open, she also progressed to the fourth round of the Italian Open.

Last year, Raducanu featured in every WTA 1000 tournament. In Grand Slam events last year, she made the third round three times and lost in the second round of the French Open.

Also read: Daniil Medvedev Reveals the Chaos While Leaving Dubai After Middle East Strikes

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW