Emma Raducanu’s former coach admits he ‘didn’t like her tennis’ as ‘biggest concern’ is revealed

Emma Raducanu’s former coach Mark Petchey has revealed why he “didn’t really like” the Brit’s tennis for the first time at the 2025 Australian Open.
Petchey, a former British No 1 who works as a tennis commentator, assessed that Raducanu’s serve looked “awkward” technically.
Raducanu battled to earn wins over tough opponents in Ekaterina Alexandrova and Amanda Anisimova in her first two matches at the Australian Open.
The 2021 US Open winner was then steamrolled 6-1, 6-0 by world No 2 and five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek in the third round.
Raducanu faced issues with her serve in all three matches as she was broken 16 times and hit 24 double faults across the six sets she played. She won only 30% of second serve points against Alexandrova and just 23% against Swiatek.
The 22-year-old’s serving troubles continued in her three-set loss to Cristina Bucsa in the first round of this week’s Singapore Open.
The world No 56 lost serve nine times, won only 24% of points on her second serve and hit seven double faults.
In the deciding set, Raducanu was twice up a break, but she was broken four times and won only one of 13 second serve points (8%) as she served five double faults.
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Petchey, who worked with Raducanu in 2020 and also coached Andy Murray, highlighted Raducanu’s serve as his “biggest concern” as he reflected on her performances in Australia.
“I’ve always been super positive with Emma. I was worried when she first won the US Open for the stuff that did happen afterwards, but let bygones be bygones,” the former world No 80 told JeffBet.
“For the first time, I would say that when I watched her in Australia and she got through to the third round, I didn’t really like her tennis. And that’s the first time I could honestly say that.
“I think that all the other times, it’s been more about the physical side. She hasn’t had enough reps, she hasn’t played enough matches.
“I don’t particularly like how her serve looks technically. Emma’s serve, from round one, looked a little awkward and I’ve never thought that about her game ever. That would be my biggest concern.
“It very quickly becomes quite a mental thing to overcome because if you lose confidence, particularly in your serve, it can become sort of terminal. It is the most important shot in men’s and women’s tennis and you don’t want to lose confidence in that for too long.”
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