Woodland handed US Ryder Cup role two years after brain surgery
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The Independent
4 minutes ago
- The Independent
Emma Raducanu adds Rafael Nadal's former coach Francis Roig to team full-time
Emma Raducanu has added Rafael Nadal's former coach Francis Roig to her team on a full-time basis ahead of this month's US Open, the PA news agency understands. The 2021 winner at Flushing Meadows has worked with British coach Mark Petchey on an informal basis since March and enjoyed a positive run of results. However, Petchey's TV commitments meant he was always unable to become Raducanu's full-time coach and after a trial with Roig following Wimbledon, the 22-year-old will begin work with him in Cincinnati this week after he agreed a contract until the end of 2025. Raducanu has struggled to settle with a coach in recent years until her part-time work with Petchey started to pay dividends earlier this season. WTA 1000 quarter-final showing at the Miami Open in March was followed by a round-of-16 run at the Italian Open before she made the last eight in the first women's tournament at Queen's Club. Aryna Sabalenka proved too strong for Raducanu in round three at Wimbledon, but this was backed up by a semi-final at the Citi Open as the British number one targets being seeded at the US Open later this month. TV commentator Petchey, who worked with Andy Murray at the start of his career, revealed in July that Raducanu would need to find a full-time coach soon and she has in Roig. Spanish coach Roig worked with Nadal alongside Nadal's uncle Toni for the majority of the 22-time grand slam champion's career and more recently was part of Matteo Berrettini's backroom staff. Raducanu will stay close to Petchey, PA understands, but turns her focus back to rising up the WTA rankings with a strong display at the Cincinnati Open over the next fortnight.
The Guardian
5 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Emma Raducanu adds Rafael Nadal's former coach Francisco Roig to her team
Emma Raducanu has added Rafael Nadal's former coach Francisco Roig to her team on a full-time basis before this month's US Open, it is understood. The 2021 winner at Flushing Meadows has worked with British coach Mark Petchey on an informal basis since March and enjoyed a positive run of results. However, Petchey's TV commitments meant he was always unable to become Raducanu's full-time coach and after a trial with Roig following Wimbledon, the 22-year-old will begin work with him in Cincinnati this week. He has agreed a contract until the end of 2025. Raducanu has struggled to settle with a coach in recent years until her part-time work with Petchey started to pay dividends earlier this season. A WTA 1000 quarter-final showing at the Miami Open in March was followed by a last-16 run at the Italian Open before she made the last eight in the first women's tournament at Queen's Club. Aryna Sabalenka proved too strong for Raducanu in round three at Wimbledon, but this was backed up by a semi-final at the Citi Open as the British No 1 targets being seeded at the US Open later this month. Petchey, who worked with Andy Murray at the start of his career, revealed in July that Raducanu would need to find a full-time coach soon and she has found that in Roig. The Spanish coach worked with Nadal alongside Nadal's uncle Toni for most of the 22-time grand slam champion's career and more recently was part of Matteo Berrettini's backroom staff. Raducanu will stay close to Petchey but turns her focus back to rising up the WTA rankings with a strong display at the Cincinnati Open over the next fortnight.
Daily Mail
5 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Emma Raducanu hires Rafael Nadal's former mentor Francisco Roig as the eighth coach of her career
has hired Rafael Nadal 's former coach Francisco Roig until the end of the season. The Spaniard will be the eighth coach of Raducanu's career and perhaps the most high-profile - given he was in the box for all 22 of Nadal's Grand Slam titles. Raducanu has been with old friend Mark Petchey since Miami and results have been strong, but the fact Petchey had to split his time between coaching and his broadcast commitments meant it was never a workable long-term option. Petchey himself said in July: 'We are very aware she needs a second coach to come on board and maybe just one coach, not me, as well.' It appears that latter option has been chosen, although it is understood that Petchey will remain close to team Raducanu in an informal role. Mail Sport understands discussions with Roig, 57, began during Wimbledon and there was a trial soon after. Obligations meant he was not available until this week – he was due to land on Monday evening in Cincinnati where he and Raducanu will begin preparations for the final WTA 1000 event before the US Open. Roig, a former player who reached a career-high ranking of No 60, acted as No 2 coach to Nadal's uncle Toni from the beginning of his career. Known as a top technical coach, he was part of team Nadal from 2005 to 2022 then spent a year as the coach of Italian former Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini from 2023-2024. For Raducanu, this is a move away from her preference for surrounding herself with a close circle who have known her since before she won the US Open in 2021. Slovak coach Vlado Platenik was the most recent departure from this formula and he lasted just 14 days. Roig will have to earn the trust of a young woman who does not trust easily, but if he can this could prove a fruitful partnership. The man from Barcelona spent 18 years in the inner sanctum of the most dedicated and ferocious competitor this sport has ever seen – he knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level. His technical expertise will also be important for a player who is still in the early stages of her career with a few kinks to iron out, especially on the serve and forehand. The main draw of the Cincinnati Open begins on Thursday August 7, with Raducanu, at No 38 in the live rankings, looking to get a couple of wins and earn herself a seeding at the US Open.
