Emma Raducanu ‘in discussions’ with Mark Petchey as Brit sets sights on full-time coach

Mark Petchey helped Emma Raducanu during her recent Miami Open run.

Emma Raducanu is said to be in talks with Mark Petchey (Image: Getty)

Emma Raducanu is reportedly keen to appoint Mark Petchey to her team full-time after he mentored her at the recent Miami Open on an ad-hoc basis, where she reached her first WTA 1000 quarter-final.

Petchey had previously enjoyed a stint with Raducanu before her breakthrough summer in 2021, and the British No. 2 was happy to have a familiar face back in her corner. Raducanu has been without a permanent coach since parting ways with Nick Cavaday in January and said she didn’t want to rush into finding a replacement.

The former US Open champion now appears to have found her ideal candidate – Petchey. According to BBC Sport, Raducanu is in discussions with the British coach and pundit.

The world No. 47 wants Petchey to lead her team but a final agreement “has not yet been reached”.

Petchey temporarily joined Raducanu’s team for the Miami Open alongside Jane O’Donoghue – a “big sister” figure who has accompanied Raducanu at some tournaments in the past – and was said to be helping her out as a familiar face.

The former coach of Andy Murray was already in Miami as part of his punditry role with Tennis Channel. At the time, Raducanu admitted she was benefitting from having trusted figures around.

‘Familiar face’ Mark Petchey helped Emma Raducanu during her Miami Open run (Image: Getty)

“I feel comfortable,” she said after booking a spot in her maiden WTA 1000 quarter-final. “I feel like in my environment, in my surroundings with the people I’m with, I feel pretty relaxed, and I can be myself and expressive and true to myself. That’s important for me.”

Asked what Petchey was bringing to her team, she added: “I think just a relaxed environment, but focused when needs to be. There’s more switching on and off rather than be on the entire time.

“I’m someone who works really hard and can be really intense, but sometimes too intense. I guess in that way it’s harder to be extremely focused when you need to be on the match court because you’re focused from the first minute to the last.

“So I think just being able to switch off and have fun with them and play Spikeball before the match, and we just create certain routines. Yeah, they bring small doses of happiness that I guess just keep you going, the small things.”