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.

Venus Williams saw her return to the BNP Paribas Open end quickly on Thursday as Diane Parry of France beat the American veteran 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-1 in the first round.

The match on Stadium 1 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden lasted two hours and 21 minutes in stiff breeze that affected both players. Williams, 45, received a wild card into the WTA 1000 event and stepped on court for her 10th appearance here.

Parry, 23 and ranked 111th, advanced through qualifying with straight-set wins and took advantage of the conditions to claim her first career victory over the seven-time Grand Slam champion.

Williams had not played at Indian Wells since 2024 and entered the match still looking for her first win of the 2026 season. She arrived with four first-round exits already on her record, including at the Australian Open.

Parry broke serve once in the sixth game of the opening set and closed it out 6-3. In the second set Williams produced the powerful shots that marked her long career. She broke back early, saved two break points when the score sat at 3-3, and forced a tiebreak. Williams stayed error-free in the breaker and took it to level the match at one set apiece.

The crowd, which had cheered every winner from the American throughout the afternoon, rose to its feet as the contest moved to a deciding set. Williams held her first service game of the third set, but then the younger opponent took control. Parry reeled off five games in a row to seal the victory.

After the final point Williams left the court smiling. Fans stood and gave her a long ovation while she waved in appreciation.

“It was an honor to play against one of the greatest legends of our sport,” Parry said after the win. The French player had reached the round of 16 at Indian Wells the previous year.

The loss extended a difficult stretch for Williams at this desert stop. She has not recorded a victory here since 2019 and exited in the first round during her 2024 return as well. Across her 10 appearances she has never advanced past the semifinals.

For years the tournament carried extra weight for the Williams family. Venus and her sister Serena boycotted the event for 14 years after they were subjected to racist insults from spectators during a 2001 match.

Parry, who qualified by beating Elizabeth Mandlik and Lulu Sun without dropping a set, moves on to face Madison Keys in the second round. Williams had accepted a wild card to compete in both singles and doubles.

The result leaves the former world No. 1 at 0-5 for the season. She showed flashes of the game that once carried her to the top of the sport, especially in the second set when her forehand winners brought the stadium to life. Yet the physical demands of facing an opponent 22 years her junior told in the final set as unforced errors increased.

Williams made her Indian Wells debut in 1996 as a 15-year-old qualifier. Thirty years later she returned to the same grounds, now known as the Tennis Garden, still competing at the highest level. The crowd treated her like the icon she remains, delivering applause from the moment she walked onto Stadium 1 and staying loud until the final point.

Her presence alone drew attention on a day when many top seeds had yet to begin their campaigns. Williams raised her fist after big winners and exchanged smiles with fans between points. Even in defeat the appreciation for her career and her role in growing the sport remained clear.

Parry played the smarter tennis in the wind, keeping balls low and using her slice effectively. She saved break points when needed and stayed steady while Williams tried to force the pace. The qualifier’s serve proved especially useful in the third set, where she dictated play after the early hold from Williams.

This first-round exit adds to a string of early departures for Williams in recent months. She continues to train and compete, showing the same determination that defined her path from Compton, California, to seven major titles and multiple weeks at No. 1.

Tennis fans at Indian Wells have long memories. They remember Williams lifting the trophy here multiple times earlier in her career. On Thursday they showed they still value the chance to watch her play, regardless of the scoreboard.

Parry expressed respect for the moment after the match. She steps into the next round with momentum from her qualifying run and this upset victory. For Williams the focus now turns to recovery and the possibility of doubles action later in the week.

The BNP Paribas Open continues with more first-round matches on Friday. Williams’ appearance, however brief, reminded everyone why her name still fills stadiums three decades after she first stepped onto these courts.