‘Stubborn’ Emma Raducanu hailed and told to ‘block out noise’ by ex-coach
Emma Raducanu has been advised by former coach Mark Petchey to “block out the noise” amid recent media attention surrounding the former US Open winner.
Raducanu has been in the spotlight ever since her shock triumph at Flushing Meadows three years ago, with the 21-year-old navigating a bumpy path across her career since then.
Over the past few months, speculation has grown about her long-term future in the sport, with the Brit suffering her latest injury blow across the ongoing Asian swing.
Off-court, she has also been the subject of attention concerning her relationship with key sponsor Porsche, with the company reportedly asking her to return a car they had previously given her.
However, former pro and prominent pundit Petchey has come to his compatriot’s defence.
Speaking to Bally Casino, he claimed that it was “easy” for people with no experience of Raducanu’s career to pass judgement – and said that there was “no manual” for her to follow.
He said: “I think it’s important for her to block out the noise.
“I think everyone’s going to have an opinion on her and broadcast it, but people are trying to insert themselves into her shoes which they have never worn before, even in their own career or life.
“But it is easy to say these things from the outside looking in. When she won the US Open back in 2021, no blueprint or manual could explain what was going to happen in her life or career after that breakthrough moment.
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“When you get offers for sponsorships and endorsements as a player, it’s very hard to turn those down, especially when she was young and new to the tour.
“There are very few players that would have done anything differently.”
Petchey, a former coach of Andy Murray, worked with Raducanu in 2020, when she was still a teenager and before her significant breakthrough the following season.
And, reflecting on his time with the WTA star, he described the Brit as “stubborn” – but pointed out that was a significant quality in tennis.
He added: “In the 10 months we worked together, I was even more impressed by her application, desire, and her inquisitive nature to learn about the game.
“She’s stubborn in certain areas which is a great quality in tennis, you need that.
“You need to have a certain self-reliance; you need to be able to put things to one side and entertain thoughts that you don’t necessarily always need to implement into your game, but you must consider things.”
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