LONDON — In a significant announcement that charts her immediate and future course, Britain's Emma Raducanu has confirmed she will not compete again in 2024 due to a lingering illness, while simultaneously securing coach Francisco Roig on a formal agreement for the entirety of the 2025 season.
The decision brings a premature but strategic close to a season marked by a remarkable comeback from triple wrist and ankle surgery, a period that saw her ranking plummet outside the top 300. Raducanu's team stated that a "persistent bacterial illness" acquired during her recent trip to Asia for the China Open has prevented her from returning to full fitness in time for the remaining tournaments.
In a statement released on her social media channels, the 2021 US Open champion expressed her disappointment but also a clear-eyed focus on the bigger picture: "It's a shame to have to miss the last two tournaments of the year, but my body needs time to fully recover and get strong again."
A Season of Progress Cut Short
Raducanu's 2024 campaign was largely viewed as a success, a necessary rebuilding year following her extended absence from the tour. She started the year with no ranking and protected ranking entries, but quickly demonstrated the flashes of brilliance that captivated the tennis world in New York three years ago.
Key milestones in her comeback included a solid run to the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, a tournament where she defeated a top-20 player for the first time since her return, and a gutsy fourth-round appearance at Wimbledon.
Her performance on the grass courts of the All England Club was particularly poignant, showcasing her trademark fearless shot-making and fighting spirit in front of a home crowd. The illness, however, struck just as she was building momentum, forcing her to withdraw from the Japan Open and the ongoing WTA 1000 event in Beijing.
Her team elaborated on the situation, stating, "The medical advice is clear: Emma requires a period of complete rest to allow her immune system to fully overcome this infection. Pushing through now would risk a more significant long-term setback."
Securing Stability with Roig
Perhaps the most telling part of the announcement was the confirmation of her coaching setup for 2025. Raducanu has formally agreed to a deal with esteemed Spanish coach Francisco Roig, a former long-time collaborator with Rafael Nadal. This move signals a decisive end to the much-publicized carousel of coaches that has characterized her young career.
Raducanu began working with Roig on a trial basis during the grass-court season, and the partnership immediately bore fruit. His influence was evident in her improved consistency and tactical maturity. In her statement, she specifically highlighted this new stability, saying, "I'm also really excited to have Francisco by my side for the whole of next season, which gives me a great platform to build on."
Roig, known for his expertise in developing players' all-court games and mental fortitude, brings a wealth of experience that Raducanu has openly valued. The formalization of their partnership suggests a mutual belief in a long-term project.
A Newfound Coaching Philosophy
This decision marks a stark contrast to her previous approach. Since her stunning US Open victory, Raducanu worked with a succession of five different coaches in a little over two years, a period of instability that many pundits believed hindered her development.
The commitment to Roig for a full season indicates a strategic shift towards continuity and deep-rooted technical and strategic development. Key areas of focus for the pair are expected to include:
- Physical Resilience: Building a stronger, more durable physique to withstand the rigors of the tour.
- Point Construction: Developing a more varied and patient game plan beyond her natural aggressive style.
- Mental Conditioning: Harnessing the pressure of expectation and converting it into consistent performance.
The Roadmap for 2025 and Beyond
With her health as the immediate priority, Raducanu's off-season plan is now clear. The focus will be on a prolonged period of rest followed by an intensive block of physical conditioning and on-court training, likely at Roig's base in Spain, before the start of the 2025 season.
The goal for next year will be to continue her ascent back up the WTA rankings—she is currently ranked just inside the world's top 100—and to challenge for titles consistently. The stability of a single, experienced coach for the entire season provides a foundation she has not enjoyed since her breakthrough.
Tennis analysts have largely praised the dual announcement. "Ending the season early is a smart, mature decision," commented one BBC pundit. "But locking in Roig is the real headline. It's the first step in building the team needed to fulfill her enormous potential."
The British tennis public, which has watched Raducanu's journey with a mixture of awe and anxiety, will now look ahead to 2025 with renewed optimism. The combination of her unique talent and a settled, expert guiding hand in Francisco Roig offers the most compelling blueprint yet for a return to the sport's upper echelons.
Raducanu concluded her announcement with a forward-looking message to her fans: "Thank you for all your support this year. It's meant the world. I'll be working hard this off-season and can't wait to see you all back on court in 2025."