Raducanu secures full-time coach ahead of US Open while Djokovic withdraws from Cincinnati

Emma Raducanu has brought in Rafael Nadal’s former long-term coach Francisco Roig on a full-time basis ahead of this month’s US Open, marking a significant step in her preparations for the final Grand Slam of the year.

The British No 1, who stunned the tennis world by winning at Flushing Meadows in 2021, had been working informally with Mark Petchey since March. That partnership delivered a string of encouraging results, including a WTA 1000 quarter-final in Miami, a last-16 showing at the Italian Open, and a semi-final run at the Citi Open.

However, Petchey’s TV broadcasting commitments prevented him from taking on a permanent role, and he had already indicated in July that Raducanu would soon need a full-time coach. After trialling Roig following Wimbledon, the 22-year-old has now signed him to a contract running until the end of 2025.

Roig brings a wealth of elite-level experience. He spent years working alongside Nadal’s uncle, Toni Nadal, during the Spaniard’s rise to 22 Grand Slam titles, and more recently was part of Matteo Berrettini’s coaching set-up.

Raducanu will begin her work with Roig at the Cincinnati Open this week. The decision comes as she eyes a seeding at the US Open, buoyed by improved form over the summer. While she fell to Aryna Sabalenka in the third round at Wimbledon, her recent results — including reaching the last eight in the inaugural women’s tournament at Queen’s Club — suggest growing momentum.

Although moving on from Petchey as a full-time arrangement, Raducanu has said she intends to remain in close contact with him. Her focus now turns to climbing back up the WTA rankings and mounting a serious challenge in New York.

Djokovic withdraws from Cincinnati

In other pre-US Open developments, Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open, deepening concerns over his readiness for the final Grand Slam of the season.

The 24-time major champion has not played competitively since a heavy straight-sets loss to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semi-finals on 11 July. That match was marked by Djokovic’s visible discomfort from a left thigh injury, which has since ruled him out of the Toronto Masters and now another key ATP 1000 event.

Djokovic had initially been listed among the entrants for Cincinnati, but his name was removed in Monday’s updated entry list. This decision means the Serbian will likely arrive at the US Open without a singles warm-up event.

The next expected sighting of Djokovic on court is in the mixed doubles competition at Flushing Meadows, where he is set to partner Olga Danilov. Whether he will be at full fitness for his singles campaign remains to be seen.

With Raducanu bringing in a high-profile coach and Djokovic managing an injury-limited schedule, the stage is set for a potentially unpredictable US Open. Both will arrive in New York with contrasting forms and challenges — one looking to rebuild momentum, the other to overcome physical setbacks in pursuit of another Grand Slam.