Emma Raducanu told to consider radical coaching decision and focus on key improvement

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Tim Henman believes that Emma Raducanu may have greater success without a coach following her latest change of setup.The British female no. 1 announced that she had split with Francisco Roig at the end of January after just five months working together.Raducanu opted for a change of coach just weeks into 2026GettyRoig, who previously coached Spanish icon Rafael Nadal, became the ninth coach to exit the Raducanu camp since her 2021 US Open win.She has now reunited with her former tutor Mark Petchey and is set to be under his guidance at Indian Wells, which began on Wednesday.According to The Times, Petchey will join her on the practice courts in California and remain part of the Tennis Channel broadcast team.However, Henman has suggested that the 23-year-old may be better off without the chopping and changing, and going solo instead.“It’s horses for courses,” the ex-men’s British no. 1 said at Sky Sports’ tennis season launch event. “I worked with three coaches in 15 years. “I liked consistency and continuity. That’s not what Emma does. When will we not be surprised when she makes coaching changes? Because that’s what she does. “Petch is someone who has worked with her a few times before, she feels comfortable with Petch. “Obviously Petch has his broadcasting commitments. That’s not going to be a full-time position, that’s not going to last long. “I wonder whether, in some respects, she’s better off without a coach. Just accepts some responsibility and just plays. “Perhaps that would enable her to really accept the responsibility of her game style but I don’t know what she’ll do next, and she probably doesn’t either.”Raducanu is back with Petchey, but Henman feels she shouldn’t have a coachGettySpeaking further on his own experience with coaches throughout his 14-year career, Henman added: “I remember I didn’t have a coach on a couple of occasions.“When I stopped working with David Felgate and I stopped working with Larry Stefanki. I really enjoyed it. I probably had six months on my own. I enjoyed it. “It made me think perhaps a little bit more for myself. But all these different elements, it’s such an individual sport that it falls down to the individual. “It’s not necessarily a right or wrong. It’s about what works for you. The three coaches that I worked with had massive influence. They were great coaches, and I wouldn’t do anything differently.”Henman was also asked whether or not a constant change of coach could be detrimental to Raducanu’s career.“Only time will tell, won’t it?” he replied. “You reflect on the last four years and what she did in America. We’ve talked a lot about that.Raducanu is still eyeing a first Grand Slam win since the 2021 US OpenGetty“She’s 25 in the world, but I think there’s a lot of us that believe she can be a lot better. It’s a little bit like where Jack’s [Draper] been. “There’s been these injuries and Jack’s had longer periods where he’s played. But, whether it’s a change in coach or a setback physically, it’s still too stop-start.“It’s probably more from a physical point of view, that she has to become physically more resilient to be stronger and faster, to then compete with the biggest hitters and the best players. “But, 25 in the world and I think she can be a lot better.”Sky Sports is the year-round home of tennis. Watch the biggest stars on the ATP and WTA Tours at the Indian Wells Open and Miami Open live this March, exclusively on Sky Sports and NOW.