2026-03-02 12:16:39
Tim Henman thinks Emma Raducanu could be better off without a coach.
The British number one has teamed up once again with Mark Petchey ahead of Indian Wells but Henman thinks she would operate better without a coaching team and urged her to work on her physicality instead.
The four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist told Sky Sports: “I just wonder whether she’s better off without a coach and that’s nothing against Petch. He’s someone I’ve known for a long time and he’s a very, very good coach but we know it’s not going to be a full-time appointment because Petch has his broadcast commitments.
“Emma has talked about her identity, her game style and she wants to own it. She’s been around long enough on the tour so I wonder whether that might be a good option for her but it’s her prerogative.
“I worked with three coaches in 15 years. I like the consistency and continuity and we know that coaches don’t last long working with Emma.
“An aggressive game style is how you have to play. You have got to be aggressive because if you don’t your opponent will be and for me. I want to see her build her physicality: to get stronger, more resilient, to hit the ball harder.
“And I think if she does that, that’ll mean that she has less interruptions and less little setbacks physically. She’ll be able to compete at a high level for longer periods, so if I could add one element it would be the physical side.”
Henman continued: “Raducanu does work on her physical side. I think her tennis game is outstanding but when you think of the physicality of (Aryna) Sabalenka, (Iga) Swiatek, (Elena) Rybakina, (Coco) Gauff, she’s not in the same league.
“The physicality is the biggest challenge.”
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