2 days ago
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Emma Raducanu is hopeful her new coach will help her to improve 'against the very top' players - and she knows exactly how to sharpen up ahead of the US Open.
British No 1 Raducanu has brought Francisco Roig, Rafael Nadal's long-time mentor, onto her team after amicably parting ways with Mark Petchey.
Petchey had been working with the 22-year-old on an informal basis since the Miami Open in March, and she drastically improved under his guidance.
However, his ongoing TV commitments meant he was unable to come on board full-time, and that led Raducanu to secure the services of the highly regarded Roig.
As reported by the Daily Mail, talks with Roig began during Wimbledon, and a trial took place shortly after. Obligations meant he was not available until this week.
Roig is contracted until the end of 2025 and he has officially begun work with Raducanu before the Cincinnati Open, which gets underway today.
Emma Raducanu hopes her new coach can help her improve against the 'very top' players
Raducanu has brought on board Francisco Roig (left), Rafael Nadal's former mentor
The British No 1 also knows exactly where she wants to sharpen up ahead of the US Open
Raducanu is already feeling the benefits of working with Roig, but she has not set out concrete goals aside from working on specific areas of her game.
'It's going really well,' Raducanu told Sky Sports. 'It's my second day with him here, but I did a few days in London before I came out here.
'He's obviously got a bank of experience; I'm very excited to continue working with him and to have him on my side.'
Roig, 57, was in the box for all 22 of Nadal's Grand Slam titles, and he has a glowing reputation. He is the eighth coach of Raducanu's burgeoning career.
Currently ranked No 33 in the world, the Brit was last in action on August 2 when she lost out to world No 7 Amanda Anisimova in the third round in Montreal.
Raducanu added: 'I'm working on the quality of my shots and to be better. Against the very top, that's what it needs. It needs to improve.
'I'm going to try and be pretty patient but I'm hoping with time that will improve.'
Raducanu has a first-round bye in Cincinnati but could potentially take on her close friend Katie Boulter in her opening match, provided her fellow Brit beats Olga Danilovic.
