'No one’s expecting her to play well on clay, What I do hope is...': American Grand Slam Legend offers valuable insights and advice to Emma Raducanu

Former world No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion Jim Courier believes Emma Raducanu would benefit greatly by continuing her work with Mark Petchey at least through the upcoming grass-court season. Courier highlighted that grass is the surface where Raducanu has previously shown her best form.

Raducanu announced her working with the 54-year-old Petchey upon arrival in Madrid for the clay season, although she described their pairing as "informal," rather than an actual coaching contract.

Back to the Madrid Open, where she began her clay-court campaign with a win over Suzan Lamens and then succumbed to Marta Kostyuk. After leaving the tournament, Raducanu admitted that she was still having difficulty with the fluidity and adaptation side of her clay movement.

Courier’s Message: Focus on Building for Grass Success

Speaking to Tennis Channel, Courier emphasized the importance of allowing the partnership with Petchey to develop, especially with the grass season approaching.

"What I do hope is that it’s able to last at least through the grass-court season. No one’s expecting her to play well on clay, it’s not a natural surface for her. Grass is a surface where she first surfaced, she made the round 16 before she won the US Open at Wimbledon so for me, it’s about the building blocks for the grass-court season," Courier stated.

Courier also pointed out technical improvements that have already been made under Petchey's guidance.

“What I do know already is he’s already changed her service motion by adding more shoulder turn there which is the idea is to try and give her a little bit more disguise and a little more power. But I think overall this is a net positive for her on so many levels, we’ll see where it goes.”

Raducanu's Coaching Journey Continues

Coaching changes became a recurring theme in the early years of Raducanu's career. In 2024, there was longer stability with Nick Cavaday for a full season until their split after the Australian Open earlier this year.

Before reuniting with Petchey, Raducanu again had a brief two-week period with coach Vladimir Platenik.

As the grass-court season approaches, spectators will be watching to see if Raducanu and Petchey can bring back some of the momentum she needs to excel once more.