Emma Raducanu Ends Season Early, Confirms Coach Partnership for 2026

Raducanu will continue working with Spanish coach Francisco Roig next year. The former Rafael Nadal coach joined her camp in time for the US Open after Mark Petchey coached her from Miami until Wimbledon. Raducanu revealed that her initial three-day trial with Roig after Wimbledon felt like a “black ops mission,” with the pair attempting to keep their training sessions under wraps.

The collaboration has already shown promise. In Cincinnati, Raducanu came close to defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka during their first tournament together. She then reached the third round of the US Open before falling to 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.

Raducanu said: “Working with Francisco has been really positive. We learned a lot in a short period, and I feel like we can build on that heading into 2026. The plan is to train hard, focus on fitness, and take what we learned this season into next year.”

A training block is already pencilled in for the end of this year, allowing Raducanu to work intensively with Roig ahead of the new season. The British number one’s decision to fly home early is aimed at giving her body the rest it needs while also plotting a strategic approach for next year’s WTA tour.

Season Review

Raducanu’s season has had its highs and lows. After a promising run at the Miami Open, she experienced mixed results in the lead-up to the US Open. Despite early exits in Wuhan and Ningbo, she finished the year having established a solid foundation of match experience and resilience.

Her three consecutive losses to end the season—Pegula in Beijing, Ann Li in Wuhan, and Zhu Lin in Ningbo—highlighted the physical and mental demands of competing week in, week out on the WTA tour. Raducanu’s back issues and illness played a key role, underscoring the importance of recovery during the off-season.

The British star has been open about the challenges she has faced this year. She has been managing minor injuries while adjusting to the demands of travel and competition. Despite this, she has demonstrated a consistent ability to compete at the highest level and push herself against top-ranked opponents.

Looking Ahead to 2026

With Roig by her side, Raducanu is setting her sights firmly on the 2026 season. Her early exit from the current year’s tournaments provides an opportunity to focus on fitness, technical refinement, and strategic planning.

Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how Raducanu translates her off-season work into improved results on court. Her experiences this year, both in terms of success and adversity, are expected to shape a more mature and resilient player heading into the next season.

Raducanu’s commitment to continuing her partnership with Roig indicates a clear direction and a long-term vision for her career. By maintaining continuity in her coaching, she hopes to build on the progress made this year and take the next steps toward consistent top-level performances.

Building Confidence

A key highlight of the year was Raducanu’s ability to compete closely with top-ranked players. Her near-upset of Aryna Sabalenka in Cincinnati and strong performances in the US Open and Miami Open demonstrate her potential to challenge for higher WTA rankings and deeper runs in Grand Slam events.

While illness and injury curtailed the end of her season, the foundation she has built provides optimism for 2026. The combination of her talent, experience, and renewed coaching partnership positions her well for another strong campaign on the tour.

‍