Tim Henman believes Emma Raducanu should consider going without a coach altogether, and insists she should focus on her physicality instead of tinkering with technique.
The 23-year-old is working temporarily with her old ally Mark Petchey as the search continues for a 10th coach of her career after splitting with Francis Roig in January.
And, in advice from a former to a current British No1, Henman feels it might be time for Raducanu to go it alone.
‘I wonder whether in some respects she’s better off without a coach and just accepting responsibility,’ said the 51-year-old. ‘Perhaps that would enable her to really accept the responsibility of her game style.’
There has been much discussion of that game style – including from Raducanu herself. It was disagreement over tactics that was at the root of the decision to split with Roig but Henman feels it is all something of a red herring.
‘She’s 24 in the world but a lot of us believe she can be a lot better,’ said Henman, speaking at an event to launch Sky Sports’ tennis coverage for 2026. ‘Whether it’s a changing coach or a setback physically it’s still too stop-start.
Emma Raducanu can manage without a coach, says Tim Henman; she is searching for her 10th
Henman insists Raducanu must become ‘stronger and faster’ to compete with the best
‘She has to become physically more resilient, to be stronger and faster, to compete with the best players.
‘People try to point to changes, whether it’s a serve or a forehand, it’s nothing to do with that. She won the US Open – her game is good enough. Tiny tinkering, whether it’s the string or the weight of the racket, it’s not about that at this stage. You look at the physicality of Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina – Emma’s not at that level.
‘And to a certain extent, with her physique, she might never be at that level, but she’s got to close the gap. I would be focussing wholeheartedly on that physical side, so that she’s stronger, she hits the ball harder, and she’ll have more physical resilience. She won’t get those little injuries and setbacks.
‘So I don’t buy into all the technical chat. It’s about getting fitter, stronger, faster, hitting the ball harder and being able to do it for longer.’
Asked about the decision to split with Roig – just a couple of months after agreeing to work together for another year – Henman, who saw the two at close quarters in his role as GB’s United Cup captain at the start of the season, replied: ‘I was surprised on the one hand but coaches don’t stay long with Emma. Francis is a great guy and a very good coach with a lot of experience but it’s Emma’s prerogative.
‘It’s horses for courses. I worked with three coaches in 15 years. I liked consistency and continuity, that’s not what Emma does. When will we not be surprised when she makes coaching changes, because that’s what she does.
‘Petch is someone she feels comfortable with but he has broadcasting commitments so that’s not going to be a full-time position. I don’t know what she’ll do next and she probably doesn’t either.’
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