Emma Raducanu is reported to be seeking the guidance of Mark Petchey – the locum coach who helped her reach the quarter-finals of the recent Miami Open – on a more extended basis.
From Raducanu’s perspective, Petchey’s appeal has never been in doubt. She is increasingly keen to work with people she knew before she became famous. Petchey, who helped tweak various aspects of her technique in the summer of 2020, is a perfect example.
Not only does Raducanu trust Petchey’s technical eye, but they also have a strong personal bond. During her run in Miami, she spoke repeatedly about how much she was enjoying the company of her team – and particularly the games of spikeball they were using as a warm-up routine before matches.