
Emma Raducanu adds Rafael Nadal's former coach Francis Roig to team full-time
However, Petchey's TV commitments meant he was always unable to become Raducanu's full-time coach and after a trial with Roig following Wimbledon, the 22-year-old will begin work with him in Cincinnati this week after he agreed a contract until the end of 2025.
Raducanu has struggled to settle with a coach in recent years until her part-time work with Petchey started to pay dividends earlier this season.
A post shared by @emmaraducanu
A WTA 1000 quarter-final showing at the Miami Open in March was followed by a round-of-16 run at the Italian Open before she made the last eight in the first women's tournament at Queen's Club.
Aryna Sabalenka proved too strong for Raducanu in round three at Wimbledon, but this was backed up by a semi-final at the Citi Open as the British number one targets being seeded at the US Open later this month.
TV commentator Petchey, who worked with Andy Murray at the start of his career, revealed in July that Raducanu would need to find a full-time coach soon and she has in Roig.
Spanish coach Roig worked with Nadal alongside Nadal's uncle Toni for the majority of the 22-time grand slam champion's career and more recently was part of Matteo Berrettini's backroom staff.
Raducanu will stay close to Petchey, PA understands, but turns her focus back to rising up the WTA rankings with a strong display at the Cincinnati Open over the next fortnight.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Business News Wales
36 minutes ago
- Business News Wales
Llanberis Student Aims for Team GB with School's Support
Teenager Toby Sutcliffe is making serious waves in the world of canoe slalom – and his school is behind him every stroke of the way. The 15 year-old from Llanberis, a pupil at St Gerard's School in Bangor, is currently ranked among the top five C1 slalom athletes in the UK for his age group. A dedicated year-round paddler, Toby trains on Llyn Padarn and at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham and has competed in the Junior Slalom European Cup in France and Germany as part of the Welsh Performance Team. He joined St Gerard's aged seven and is about to start Year 11. Balancing elite sport with his GCSE studies, Toby says the school has played a key role in helping him chase his goals. 'My ultimate aim is to reach the highest national division, then Team GB,' said Toby. 'I'd love to make it to the World Championships or the Olympics one day. 'The school has been so supportive — always helping me catch up or send me extra work when I've missed lessons to compete overseas. I'm really grateful.' Wales Performance Squad Toby's passion for paddling began during the pandemic, after his previous interest in ski slalom was put on hold. 'We had access to the lake and tried a few local taster sessions,' said mum Vicki. 'From his very first go in a C1 canoe, he just lit up — the smile hasn't left his face since.' Dad Will added: 'It's great to see St Gerard's backing young athletes. Their support and sponsorship for Toby have made a real difference and the sport needs new talent like him coming through.' Toby is also finding success in kayak cross, a fast, contact-heavy race discipline that debuted at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He reached the semi-finals in Augsburg, Germany, and came third in a recent open event in Nottingham. Sid Sinfield, Performance Manager at Paddle Cymru, said: 'With a strong work ethic and a passion for canoe slalom, Toby is not only competing at a high level for his age but is also on a clear trajectory toward national and international success. 'As he continues to train, travel, and compete, support and sponsorship play a vital role in helping him reach his full potential. 'Funding enables access to top-level coaching, specialised equipment, and travel to key races across the UK and Europe – essential components in the development of a world-class athlete. 'St Gerard's School's backing of Toby is an opportunity to invest in the future of British canoeing and to support a driven young athlete with the talent and determination to go far.' Headteacher Campbell Harrison added: 'We're proud of Toby and all our pupils as they chase their dreams. 'Whether in sport, academics, or the arts, St Gerard's is committed to helping young people achieve their full potential — and we're behind Toby all the way.'


Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Jurgen Klopp could play crucial role to help Liverpool complete Alexander Isak transfer
Jurgen Klopp is now a leading figure at Red Bull and he's central to their pursuit of Harvey Elliott - which could help fund Liverpool's pursuit of Alexander Isak Liverpool remain keen on landing Alexander Isak, who has told Newcastle he wants to seek pastures new - with the Reds already seeing an opening bid for the Swede rejected. They tabled an overall over worth £120million, but that was knocked back by their Premier League rivals. The Magpies value Isak closer to £150m after seeing him establish himself as one of Europe's leading No 9s since moving to St James' Park. Liverpool have already spent well over £200m but could still break the British-transfer record for the second time in a single summer. Their transfer efforts will be aided by more money coming into the club and former manager Jurgen Klopp is now Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull and plays a major role in their recruitment. Bild reports that Klopp is particularly keen to bring Harvey Elliott to RB Leipzig with the Englishman tipped to move on this summer. Despite having options to remain in England the German, who bought Elliott to Anfield back in 2019, wants to lure him to the Bundesliga. Elliott has seen his stock rise this summer after excelling at the U21 Euros with England, where he was named Player of the Tournament. He is being eyed by the likes of Brighton and West Ham, but Leipzig represent a chance for him to head overseas. Liverpool are looking to bank around £50m if they are to let Elliott, who only started two Premier League games last term, leave. That fee would also represent pure profit and further bolster their transfer kitty ahead of a renewed move for Isak. Germany has proved to be an excellent environment for English talent to thrive. Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham, who both made their names at Borussia Dortmund, are shining examples of how heading to the Bundesliga can be hugely beneficial for one's career. The 22-year-old acknowledges he needs to be selfish with his next move and said recently: 'If I had it my way, I would be here for the rest of my career, it's as simple as that. I love everything about the club. But at the same time, I kind of need to be selfish with myself and see what's best for me. "I have big ambitions, I want to get in the World Cup [squad], keep being successful as a player. I think it's still something I need to review, I need to have a talk with everyone and review the situation. Obviously we have many new players that have come in, so whether it blocks the path for me, I'm not sure. It's something for me to decide and have a look at. As I said, just review the situation." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.


Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Revealed: Record-breaking amount Emma Raducanu will bank if she regains her US Open title - with prize money having more than doubled since Brit's famous triumph in 2021
Emma Raducanu stands to earn a staggering $5million (£3.9m) if she lifts the US Open trophy for a second time next month – more than double the amount she pocketed during her fairytale run four years ago. The 22-year-old stunned the tennis world in 2021 by winning in New York as a qualifier, scooping $2.5m (£1.8m) in prize money in one of the sport's most remarkable breakthroughs. Now, with the prize pot having ballooned to record levels, tournament organisers have confirmed that this year's men's and women's singles champions will each receive $5m – the richest individual payday in Grand Slam history. The total player compensation package for the 2025 US Open has also hit an all-time high of $90m (£70m), up from $75m in 2024 and dwarfing the figure from Raducanu's winning year. That dramatic rise comes amid mounting pressure from top players for improved pay distribution across the tour. First-round losers in the main draw will now receive $110,000, while the champions in the men's, women's and mixed doubles events will each share $1m per title. Raducanu, Britain's top-ranked female player, is preparing for her return to Flushing Meadows with a new – and familiar – face in her corner. Earlier this week, Mail Sport revealed that she has appointed Rafael Nadal 's long-time coaching ally Francisco Roig to guide her through the US hard court swing. Roig served as a long-time member of Nadal's coaching team, working alongside Toni Nadal and later Carlos Moya during many of the Spaniard's 22 Grand Slam wins, before going on to work with Matteo Berrettini. His arrival marks Raducanu's eighth coaching partnership since turning professional. Discussions between the pair began during Wimbledon, and Roig is now in Cincinnati to help her prepare for the final WTA 1000 event before the last major of the year. After a stop-start few seasons plagued by injuries and instability, Raducanu will hope that a steady partnership with the experienced Spaniard – combined with a healthy run of form – can set the stage for another deep Grand Slam push. Should she go all the way again in New York, it won't just be silverware waiting at the end – it'll be the biggest cheque of her career.