British tennis star Emma Raducanu has parted ways with her latest coach, Francisco Roig, following an early exit from the 2026 Australian Open. The move marks her ninth coaching change since 2021, prompting concern from four-time Grand Slam winner Kim Clijsters about the player's apparent haste. Raducanu seeks a more aggressive playing style reminiscent of her youth.
Emma Raducanu's decision to end her partnership with coach Francisco Roig came shortly after her second-round defeat at the Australian Open in Melbourne. The 23-year-old British player lost in straight sets to Austria's Anastasia Potapova, wrapping up a disappointing tournament Down Under. Reflecting on her performance, Raducanu expressed frustration with her current approach: “I want to be playing a different way. I just want to hit the ball to the corners and hard.” She added, “I feel like I’m doing all this variety, and it’s not doing what I want it to do. I need to work on playing in a way similar to how I was playing when I was younger.” This split is the ninth such change for Raducanu since her breakthrough in 2021, when she reached the Wimbledon fourth round under Nigel Sears and then won the US Open with Andrew Richardson at age 18, ending Britain's 44-year drought for a women's Grand Slam singles title. Roig, who coached Rafael Nadal through 16 of his 22 Grand Slam victories, had joined Raducanu just five months prior. Despite the pedigree, the partnership did not yield the desired results, amid ongoing challenges from injuries that required surgeries on both wrists and her left ankle in recent years. The separation appears amicable, with Raducanu posting a grateful message on social media: “Francis, Thank you for our time together. You have been more than a coach to me and I will cherish the many good times we spent together on and off the court.” She continued, “While we have come to the conclusion together that we ought not to move forward, please know that I am very grateful for all you have taught me and fond of our time shared.” Tennis legend Kim Clijsters, a four-time Grand Slam champion, voiced puzzlement over the rapid turnover. “When I hear those kinds of things, I am curious to know who makes those decisions. Is it her? Her agent? Her father? There are many things that intrigue me in that situation. Who makes her panic so quickly?” Clijsters emphasized the value of patience, noting Raducanu's history with capable coaches who invest time in technical and tactical growth. She advised, “I think it would be good for her to learn to strive and find someone she really connects with. Then work hard to build a longer-lasting coaching relationship and have that long-term approach in mind.” Clijsters highlighted the need for balance: “It takes time for a coach to do their job, right? And it's about finding the balance between giving time to trust the coach and giving time for the effects a coach can have.” As Raducanu hunts for her tenth coach, questions linger about sustaining the form that once captivated the tennis world.
