Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion and British No. 1, has parted ways with her coach Francis Roig following her second-round exit from the 2026 Australian Open. The split, announced on January 29, 2026, marks yet another change in what has become a revolving door of coaching partnerships since her breakthrough Grand Slam triumph.
Raducanu, now 23 and ranked around World No. 29, hired the experienced Spanish coach Francis Roig in August 2025. Roig, best known for his long tenure on Rafael Nadal’s team where he contributed to 16 of Nadal’s 22 major titles, brought elite technical expertise to Raducanu’s camp. Their collaboration saw her reach the third round at the 2025 US Open, but results in early 2026 proved disappointing.
At the Australian Open, Raducanu entered as the 28th seed but fell in the second round to unseeded Anastasia Potapova in straight sets, 7-6(3), 6-2. The performance was described by some observers as subdued and lacking spark, with Raducanu appearing disconnected from her coaching box during the match. In her post-match press conference, she expressed clear dissatisfaction with her on-court approach.
“I think I want to be playing a different way,” Raducanu said. “The misalignment with how I’m playing right now and how I want to be playing is something that I just want to work on.” She added plans to “re-evaluate my game a bit” and return to a style more aligned with her natural instincts from earlier in her career—more aggressive, front-footed tennis rather than the adjustments implemented under Roig, which included technical tweaks like lengthening her forehand backswing for added spin.
These comments were widely interpreted as signaling underlying friction with Roig’s direction. Sources close to the situation confirmed the philosophical differences, with Raducanu feeling her game had drifted from her preferred identity. The split was described by her team as a “mutual decision to part ways” that ended on “good terms,” with Raducanu posting a heartfelt message on social media: “Francis, thank you for our time together. You have been more than a coach to me and I will cherish the many good times we shared together on and off the court. While we have come to the conclusion together that we ought not to move forward, please know that I am very grateful for all you have taught me and fond of our time shared.”
Roig becomes the ninth coach Raducanu has worked with since 2021 (counting permanent and significant interim roles), with her longest stint coming under childhood mentor Nick Cavaday from 2024 to early 2025 before he stepped away due to health issues. Previous coaches have included Nigel Sears, Andrew Richardson, Torben Beltz, Dmitry Tursunov, Sebastian Sachs, Vladimir Platenik, and Mark Petchey.
The pattern of frequent changes has drawn scrutiny and debate in tennis circles, with some suggesting it reflects Raducanu’s search for the right fit amid injury setbacks, high expectations, and the pressure of her rapid rise. Others point to the need for stability to build consistent progress. Raducanu’s next event is the Transylvania Open in Romania starting February 1, 2026, where she will temporarily work with former player Alexis Canter while continuing her search for a 10th coach.
This latest development underscores the challenges Raducanu faces in recapturing sustained form post her fairy-tale 2021 major win. As she prioritizes alignment between her game and her vision, the hope is that the next partnership brings the continuity needed to unlock her undeniable potential once more.
