‘He fixes what needs fixing’ – Why Raducanu Turned to Nadal’s Ex-Coach
Emma Raducanu has hired a new coach. It’s a sentence we’ve heard several times since the 22-year-old Briton’s stunning 2021 US Open victory as a teenage qualifier.
But this time, the appointment of Francisco Roig – the experienced Spaniard who helped Rafael Nadal win his impressive 22 Grand Slam titles – feels different. It feels like a strategic, longer-term move as Raducanu aims to reignite her career and climb back to the top of the tennis world.
As they head into their second tournament together at next week’s US Open, the world number 35 is optimistic that Roig’s expertise can elevate her game to new heights.
“Francis is the best coach I worked with by far,” stated former Spanish number two Feliciano Lopez, who benefited from Roig’s guidance for several years, in an interview with BBC Sport. “He’s patient but also demanding. He will push you until whatever he thinks needs fixing is fixed.”
Why Francisco Roig? What He Brings to Team Raducanu
Ask anyone about the 57-year-old Catalan, and they’ll highlight his unparalleled technical knowledge. But what *specifically* does Roig bring to the table?
Following his time with Lopez, Roig joined forces with Rafael Nadal in 2005, serving as a crucial second coach alongside Nadal’s uncle, Toni. He played a significant role in shaping Nadal into one of the greatest players of all time.
When Roig departed the team in 2022 seeking a fresh challenge, former world number one Nadal praised Roig for consistently making him “better and better.”
Toni Nadal echoed this sentiment, telling BBC Sport, “Francis is a very good coach and a man who can help Raducanu to improve technically – he puts a lot of attention on this. In today’s game every player hits the ball very fast. But in the end tennis is about power and control – when you hit the ball fast without a good technique it is difficult to put five or six balls inside the court in a row. This is what Francis explains to players. I think he can help Raducanu to become a very good tennis player again.”
After a challenging 2023 season marked by wrist and ankle surgeries, Raducanu has been diligently working to rebuild her career. The high turnover of coaches has slowed, and securing a full-time appointment was a priority after Nick Cavaday stepped down in January for health reasons.
Since Mark Petchey stepped in as an informal coach in March, Raducanu has achieved notable results, including a WTA semi-final appearance in Washington, as well as quarter-final finishes in Miami and at Queen’s Club.
Looking refreshed and confident, Raducanu has climbed back towards the world’s top 30 and showcased some of her strongest tennis since her remarkable US Open triumph four years ago.
Raducanu believes Roig can provide a crucial extra dimension, complementing the resilience she’s developed this year. “I can definitely improve on the quality of a lot of my shots,” Raducanu explained. “I’ve been good at being creative, scrapping, playing the big points well, but the overall quality of my game needs to be better.”
Lopez emphasizes that Roig achieves this through unique coaching drills that are both “practical” and “specific” to each player.
He identifies technical flaws through observation rather than relying on extensive video analysis. Jordi Vilaro, a close friend who has known Roig for over 40 years and co-owns the BTT Academy in Barcelona with him, told BBC Sport, “His eyes are special. He can see things other coaches can’t see in a 1000th of a second – they maybe need video or slow motion. Every player who trains with him for an hour plays better tennis. Win or lose is another thing, but they hit the ball better and cleaner.”
Early Signs: How’s the Raducanu-Roig Partnership Progressing?
With Petchey prioritizing his television commentator role, Raducanu explored other coaching options. Roig’s availability arose during the summer, and the pair embarked on a trial period after Wimbledon.
Known for her inquisitive nature, Raducanu, who has previously attributed her coach turnover to asking “provoking” questions, found Roig’s sessions stimulating, challenging, and instantly encouraging.
“Francis is very passionate for tennis,” Vilaro said. “What’s amazing is he can watch a match on TV and he doesn’t care about the result – he’s checking how they are moving, the positioning and how they are hitting the ball. He’s watching many specific things. When we created the academy he said, ‘I want to do it but I don’t want any paperwork. I just want to be on the court’. The court is his passion.”
Raducanu has already impressed Roig with her dedication. In their first tournament together at the Cincinnati Open, they engaged in multiple daily practice sessions, where she convincingly defeated Serbia’s Olga Danilovic and then pushed world number one Aryna Sabalenka to her limit.
While Raducanu ultimately fell short of a significant upset, the performance was promising, providing optimism for the US Open.
“I spoke to Francis after Raducanu beat Danilovic and before she played Sabalenka,” Vilaro shared. “He said, ‘It’s amazing, I like working with this player a lot because she loves to be on court. We spent two hours training the return, the return plus second shot and what to do when the opponent attacks’. He enjoyed it a lot. The most important thing for him is having a player who loves being on court – and it looks like this is the case.”
The Big Question: How Long Will This Coaching Partnership Last?
Early in her career, Raducanu gained notoriety for her frequent changes in full-time coaches.
Over the past two years, a tighter-knit group led by trusted figures like Cavaday and Petchey has proven more successful.
Raducanu struggled when outsiders entered her inner circle after her US Open victory. Building a strong and trusting relationship with Roig will be crucial for a successful future.
Toni Nadal commented, “Francis is a very good person, he is a man who you can be relaxed with and he is funny. It is important when you are with someone with a good character, I think that is much better. But to change someone who used to do one thing is difficult. What I explain to the players – I explain simple – is that if you are happy with your level and ranking don’t change anything. If you are not happy then you have to change something – something emotional, tactical or technical. But normally you need a little time and I think Raducanu has to give a little time to Francis.”
Based on the smiles seen during a mixed doubles practice session with Carlos Alcaraz and his team at Flushing Meadows, Raducanu and Roig appear comfortable in each other’s company.
They have already spent considerable time together in Cincinnati, where Roig handled driving duties during long trips to the tournament.
More Than Just a Coach: Building a Bond
Lopez still considers Roig as one of his “best buddies,” and Roig’s bond with Nadal led to shared activities like fishing, golf, and football outside of tennis.
“There are a lot of things which great coaches need to have – to be good technically, a good psychologist and a good person,” Lopez added. “Francis has got all these qualities.”
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- Published: August 16, 2024
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