British tennis sensation Emma Raducanu is determined to find stability in 2026, committing to head coach Francisco Roig for the upcoming season after a tumultuous 2025 marked by coaching upheaval and a frightening stalking ordeal.
A Year of Turmoil and Transition
The year 2025 proved exceptionally challenging for the 2021 US Open champion. A dip in form and injury struggles were compounded by a revolving door of coaches, disrupting any chance of sustained progress on the court. This instability was severely exacerbated by a deeply unsettling stalking incident in February, which left the young athlete shaken.
Raducanu's search for a consistent coaching partnership has been well-documented since her historic Grand Slam win. Andrew Richardson, the coach behind her US Open triumph, was swiftly replaced by Torben Beltz. That alliance lasted from late 2021 into 2022 before ending after a series of early tournament exits. Several more coaches followed in quick succession.
Her childhood coach, Nick Cavaday, provided a sense of familiarity when he joined the team in January 2024, but he stepped down a year later due to health concerns. His temporary replacement, Roman Kelecic, was in charge during the traumatic stalking incident.
The Stalking Ordeal and Its Aftermath
The distressing event occurred in February 2025 when an unidentified man approached Raducanu at her hotel while she was without team members or security. The situation escalated when she saw the same individual during her second-round match against Karolina Muchova at the Dubai Tennis Championships. The intrusion was so severe it brought Raducanu to tears on court. The man was removed from the match and subsequently arrested.
This was not the first time the athlete had been targeted; just three years prior, a different individual was handed a five-year restraining order for stalking and harassing her. In the wake of the 2025 incident, former professional Mark Petchey joined Raducanu's team as a consultant, helping her navigate the troubling period. She grew particularly close to his daughters during this time.
Building a Firm Foundation for the Future
With Petchey unable to commit to full-time travel, Francisco Roig was recruited in August 2025. Roig, renowned for his previous work with Rafael Nadal, now appears set to guide Raducanu through the entire 2026 season. This commitment offers the consistency she has desperately sought.
Beyond the coaching box, Raducanu's resilience is bolstered by a tight-knit support system. She consistently leans on her parents, Ian and Renee, and a circle of childhood friends. After reaching the third round at Wimbledon this past summer, she publicly praised these friends as her "rock."
"They're the closest people to me outside of my family," Raducanu said. "They're friends from secondary school, childhood. One of them I've known since I was 6 years old." This group includes Benjamin Heynold, who cheered her on during her US Open win, and other close pals like Ryan Cohen, Tessa Teo, Carla Wilfert, and Shauna.
Having moved past the worst of her recent ordeal, Raducanu has virtually guaranteed a seeding for the upcoming Australian Open. With Roig's experience now firmly in her corner and her trusted inner circle behind her, the British star is poised to focus solely on rediscovering the Grand Slam-winning form that captivated the nation.
