Emma Raducanu Keeps Mark Petchey as Coach for Madrid Open

Emma Raducanu will keep Mark Petchey on her coaching staff in an informal role.

Emma Raducanu discussed her ongoing search for a permanent coach and balancing her schedule. | IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Last month, Emma Raducanu made her first-ever quarterfinal appearance at a WTA 1000 event at the Miami Open. To the surprise of some, Raducanu immediately took a break to rest and re-evaluate her situation.

The top of Raducanu's to-do list was finding a new coach. However, in a sit-down interview with Sky Sports, Raducanu explained that she is not going to make any changes before the start of this week's Madrid Open.

Raducanu will keep Mark Petchey on her coaching staff in an informal role. She explained her reasoning as the coaching search has become an intriguing storyline among tennis fans.

Mark Petchey watches Emma Raducanu play Jessica Pegula in the Miami Open. | IMAGO / MediaPunch

"We haven't made anything formal. It's pretty informal for now. But it's something that's going really well, and he feels like someone I can trust because I've known him for so long," said Raducanu.

Petchey joined Raducanu's team for the start of the Miami Open. After a disastrous showing at Indian Wells, Raducanu parted ways with coach Vladimir Platenik after an unsuccessful two-week trial on the eve of the Miami Open.

Raducanu enlisted the help of Petchey. The former British No. 1 has worked as Andy Murray's former coach and is currently a broadcaster on the Tennis Channel.

Emma Raducanu trusts Mark Petchey to be a part of her coaching staff. | IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

The rest of Raducanu's tight-knit circle includes Jane O'Donoghue, Colin Beecher, and full-time fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura.

Raducanu also addressed her decision to take a break after the Miami Open. "I've realized now that less is more for me sometimes. I work really intense and really hard and can definitely be partial to overkilling it sometimes.

"It's just making sure when I'm on the court, I'm maxing out for X amount of time so I can focus, and then once I'm done, I'm switching off better."

Emma Raducanu is keeping Mark Petchey on her staff in an informal role. | IMAGO / MediaPunch

Raducanu is the WTA World No. 49 with a record of 7-7. She faces Suzan Lamens in the first round of the Madrid Open tomorrow, Wednesday, April 23.

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