LONDON — The coaching carousel for Emma Raducanu continues to spin. In a move that has become a familiar headline, the 2021 US Open champion has parted ways with her latest coach, Francisco Roig, after a brief collaboration of just five months. The split, confirmed by Raducanu's team, marks the ninth coaching change for the 21-year-old Briton since her historic Grand Slam triumph, raising questions about her search for stability and the unique path she is forging in the sport.
A Meteoric Rise and Immediate Upheaval
Emma Raducanu’s coaching journey is inextricably linked to her unprecedented success. She burst onto the global stage at the 2021 US Open as a qualifier ranked world No. 150, winning ten consecutive matches without dropping a set. During that magical fortnight, she was guided by Andrew Richardson, a former player who had worked with her through the junior ranks. However, in a decision that stunned many, Raducanu announced her split with Richardson just weeks after lifting the trophy in Flushing Meadows. She stated she needed a coach with more top-level tour experience to guide her through the next phase, setting a precedent for rapid change.
The Search for Tour-Level Expertise
The post-US Open period saw Raducanu trial several high-profile names in quick succession. She briefly linked up with Jeremy Bates, the Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) head of women’s tennis, for a short period before embarking on a trial with Torben Beltz, the experienced German coach known for his long and successful partnership with Angelique Kerber. Beltz was officially appointed in November 2021, but their partnership lasted only five months, ending in April 2022 amidst a string of injuries and inconsistent results. Raducanu cited the need for a "new training model."
A Period of Experimentation and Injury
The summer of 2022 became a revolving door of temporary collaborations. During the grass-court season, Raducanu worked with Iain Bates (another LTA official) at Wimbledon. She then brought in Jane O'Donoghue, a former British Fed Cup captain, and Louis Cayer, a renowned doubles specialist, for specific technical input. This period was characterized by what some observers called a "team of coaches" approach, but it was disrupted by persistent wrist and ankle injuries that required multiple surgeries in 2023, forcing her off tour for eight months.
The Comeback and the Roig Experiment
Upon her return to the tour in early 2024, Raducanu began working with Nick Cavaday, a childhood coach she knew from the Bromley Tennis Centre. This reunion brought a sense of familiarity. However, in a parallel move, she also started a trial with the highly respected Spaniard Francisco Roig, a former long-time coach of Rafael Nadal, in April. The appointment of Roig was seen as a major coup, signaling her intent to build a robust, clay-court game. Yet, after just five months and a mixed season that showed flashes of brilliance but also early exits, the partnership has been dissolved. A source close to Raducanu told The Telegraph, "Emma has decided to move in a different direction. She is very grateful to Francisco for his hard work and dedication during their time together."
The Complete List: Nine Coaches in Three Years
The chronology of Raducanu's coaching partnerships underscores the relentless turnover:
1. Nigel Sears (Wimbledon 2021 - for the duration of the tournament)
2. Andrew Richardson (Summer 2021, including the US Open win)
3. Jeremy Bates (Brief trial, Autumn 2021)
4. Torben Beltz (November 2021 - April 2022)
5. Iain Bates (Wimbledon 2022)
6. Jane O'Donoghue & Louis Cayer (Short-term consultations, 2022)
7. Dmitry Tursunov (Trial period, Autumn 2022)
8. Sebastian Sachs (December 2022 - June 2023, ended due to her surgeries)
9. Nick Cavaday (Primary coach from start of 2024 comeback)
10. Francisco Roig (Trial from April 2024 - September 2024)
It is worth noting that Dmitry Tursunov, the Russian coach, had a brief trial in late 2022 that ended without a formal agreement, and Sebastian Sachs, the German coach, was forced to end their partnership when Raducanu’s surgeries led to an indefinite break from competition. This leaves Roig as the ninth distinct coach she has worked with in a professional capacity since mid-2021.
Analysis: Independence or Instability?
Raducanu’s approach has consistently defied tennis convention. Where most top players seek long-term coaching partnerships to build technical and tactical consistency, Raducanu has opted for a more fluid model, often described as taking "bits of advice" from various sources. She has a strong inner circle, including her parents and agents, and has emphasized her own understanding of her game and body, especially following her surgeries. After splitting with Beltz, she explained, "I'm very comfortable taking my own advice and I have a good team around me. For me, it's about what I need and what works for me."
This independence is both her strength and a point of scrutiny. Supporters argue she is taking ownership of her career in a sport where young players, especially women, can be overly controlled. Critics, however, point to the lack of a consistent technical voice and game plan as a factor in her struggle to build momentum and climb back up the rankings from her current position outside the top 100.
What Comes Next?
With the Roig chapter closed, attention turns to the future. Nick Cavaday remains in her team, providing a stable base. The question is whether Raducanu will now consolidate around him or seek yet another new voice. The off-season presents a critical opportunity for uninterrupted training to build on the physical foundations laid during her comeback year. The tennis world will be watching closely to see if this latest change is a step toward finding the right long-term fit or merely another turn in the carousel. As one seasoned coach, who wished to remain anonymous, told the BBC, "Emma is a phenomenal talent with a champion's mindset, but tennis is a sport of repetition and nuance. Building that deep, trusted coach-player relationship over years is often what separates the very good from the great. Her challenge is to find someone she can trust not just for a season, but for a journey." The search for that partnership continues.