Emma Raducanu has received a coaching boost ahead of Wimbledon, with the return of Andrew Petchey and the continued support of fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura. This follows a period where Raducanu focused on improving her physical fitness and mental approach to the game.
Since Petchey rejoined the team in Miami two months ago, Raducanu has seen a significant improvement, winning eight out of eleven matches. Petchey's coaching style emphasizes building confidence through repetitive drills and a more relaxed atmosphere, incorporating light-hearted warm-up activities.
Raducanu's improved physical condition, thanks to Nakamura, coupled with Petchey's coaching approach, positions her well for Wimbledon and future grass-court tournaments. Her past performances at Wimbledon (reaching the last 16 twice) and her understanding of grass-court movement indicate her potential for success.
This will be welcome news for Raducanu’s supporters. She clearly has the potential to go deep at Wimbledon and the other grass events, which this year will include a women’s tournament at Queen’s for the first time since 1973.
In three previous appearances at Wimbledon, she has reached the last 16 twice. Like most British players, she understands how to move on the surface, whereas many overseas players find the footing too slippery.
Raducanu has entered Strasbourg next week as a final build-up event before the French Open. The decision confirms that she is dealing far better with the physical challenges of the WTA Tour than in any previous season.
The appointment of an experienced fitness trainer – Yutaka Nakamura – in December, has delivered a swift impact, even if hindsight suggests that this basic step should have been taken several years ago.
And the return of Petchey, who previously helped Raducanu refine her game in the summer of 2020, has also worked out well to date.
Since he began helping her on an initially ad hoc basis in Miami two months ago, she has won eight matches from 11: a solid return which would, if continued, carry her well inside the seeded positions at the majors.
Petchey has helped Raducanu relax by using light-hearted warm-up exercises such as spikeball or football. He has also taken some of her focus off technique and concentrated on repetitive drills to build confidence in her shots.
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