Raducanu sits at world number 24 as she lines up for this week’s BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. A solid run in California could lift her position further. The 23-year-old British number one has drawn attention for her frequent coaching changes since she burst onto the scene by winning the 2021 US Open from qualifying.
Francisco Roig left the role last month after six months. Raducanu made clear she feels no pressure to appoint a replacement right away. She arrived at the Australian Open carrying a foot injury that left her short on preparation.
Her season has delivered ups and downs. She reached her first WTA final since the US Open triumph at the Transylvania Open in Romania before illness struck again, an issue that has recurred throughout her professional career.
Tim Henman, Britain’s former world number four, says the priority lies in her physical development. He will work as a commentator for Sky Sports at Indian Wells.
“She has to become physically more resilient to be stronger and faster to then compete with the biggest hitters and the best players,” he said.
Henman pointed directly to the leading names on the WTA Tour. “You look at the physicality of a Sabalenka, a Swiatek, a Coco Gauff, a Rybakina. Emma’s not at that level. And to a certain extent, with her physique, she might not ever be at that level, but she’s got to close the gap.”
He described her style as that of an attacking baseline player and made clear where he would direct focus. “It’s still too stop-start. I understand the way she wants to play. She’s an attacking baseline player. If I could add one element to her game, it would only be on the physical side – to get stronger, faster, to hit the ball harder.
So for me it’s nothing technical or mental. I’d be focusing wholeheartedly on that physical side so that then when she’s stronger, she hits the ball harder and she’ll have more physical resilience.”
The comments arrive as Raducanu works with a temporary support team in Indian Wells. Former British player Mark Petchey, who stepped in for several months last season around his broadcasting duties, returns to help. Hitting partner Alexis Canter provides daily input on court.
Raducanu parted ways with Roig after a second-round defeat by Anastasia Potapova at the Australian Open. She spoke openly about her unhappiness with how her game looked under the Spaniard at that stage.
Henman reflected on his own career path when he discussed the situation. “I worked with three coaches in 15 years. I liked consistency and continuity, but that’s not what Emma does.”
He floated the idea that she could gain from stepping back from a full-time coach for now. “I wonder whether in some respects she’s better off without a coach and accepts the responsibility and just plays. I don’t know what she’ll do next and she probably doesn’t either.”
Raducanu holds the 25th seed at Indian Wells and receives a first-round bye. She opens against Russian qualifier Anastasia Zakharova in the second round. The event offers a major stage outside the Grand Slams, with strong results carrying significant ranking value as the clay season draws nearer.
Her journey since that 2021 US Open win has mixed moments of brilliance with setbacks from injuries and health interruptions. The Romania final marked a return to a title match at WTA level and showed signs of progress even if illness disrupted follow-up events.
Henman stopped short of suggesting any technical overhaul. His view centres on the demands of facing the heaviest hitters week after week. Players such as Swiatek and Sabalenka set the standard in fitness and power, and he sees that gap as the clearest area for Raducanu to address.
By increasing strength and speed, she stands to handle longer rallies and maintain performance levels across full tournaments. This shift could lead to more consistent results and fewer stop-start periods in her season.
For the time being, the temporary arrangement with Petchey and Canter gives her familiar faces without locking into a long-term commitment. Petchey knows her game from previous spells and balances his own media work.
Henman’s words add to the conversation around Raducanu’s development at this stage of her career. She continues to draw attention for her shot-making talent and potential, yet the physical side remains the element he identifies as most pressing.
As Indian Wells unfolds, all eyes will sit on how she translates recent form into matches against top opposition. A positive week could deliver ranking gains and momentum heading into the rest of the season. The coming days will also reveal whether she moves toward another coaching appointment or continues with her current independent approach.
Raducanu has shown she can produce standout tennis when conditions align. The task now involves bridging the physical divide Henman highlighted so she can compete more regularly at the highest level.
