Emma Raducanu’s journey at Wimbledon ended following a straight-sets defeat to world number one Aryna Sabalenka. The match took place as Sabalenka progressed to the fourth round at the championships, marking her third time reaching this stage.
Raducanu entered the contest off a strong win against former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, demonstrating some of her best tennis in recent years. She maintained a high level during her match with Sabalenka, taking the first set to a tiebreak and securing a break advantage in the second, but Sabalenka ultimately prevailed.
As Raducanu now shifts her focus towards the upcoming US Open, former Flushing Meadows champion Andy Roddick has made a clear plea for the British player.
Andy Roddick Urges Continuity in Raducanu’s Coaching Team After Wimbledon
Speaking on the Served Podcast, Andy Roddick described the Raducanu-Sabalenka match as the standout encounter of the day in England and praised Raducanu’s overall performance across the tournament. He noted that her earlier victory over Vondrousova exceeded his expectations in terms of decisiveness.
Roddick’s single request for Raducanu after her Wimbledon exit was to maintain her partnership with coach Mark Petchey. He highlighted the evident improvements in her game since working with Petchey and emphasized the value of their strong professional relationship.
“If I had one request leaving this tournament, please stay with Mark Petchey. It is working!
You have looked better and better each time. Petch is a really good coach, and you seem to have a great camaraderie.
That is like, don’t fire someone and start over again and do the whole thing. Keep this continuity. I thought she played really well.”
Roddick added that Raducanu’s style of play is enjoyable to watch, noting that while she might not unleash the biggest shots, her ability to change direction and manage shot tolerance is exceptional.
“Her ability to mix up spins and play like a slow roller and hold it to the last minute. It’s really interesting.”
—Andy Roddick, Former Grand Slam Champion
Raducanu’s Grass-Court Season Under Mark Petchey’s Guidance
Emma Raducanu spent the entire grass-court season with Mark Petchey coaching her, competing at three tournaments on this surface. Her preparation began at the first women’s event at Queen’s in more than five decades, where she triumphed over Cristina Bucsa in her opening match at the Andy Murray Arena.
Raducanu reached the quarter-finals at Queen’s before being eliminated by the tournament’s top seed, Qinwen Zheng. Following this, at the Eastbourne Open, she recorded a win against Ann Li but lost a hard-fought three-set match to Maya Joost.
At Wimbledon, she started solidly, defeating fellow Briton Mingge Xu, then earned a significant victory over Marketa Vondrousova, suggesting her confidence on grass was growing. Although Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam winner, finally ended her run, Raducanu’s performance throughout the grass season signals increasing strength in her game.
Her continued work with Petchey reflects a period of stability and growth, which Roddick believes should be preserved as Raducanu heads into the US Open and beyond.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What did Andy Roddick say about Nick Kyrgios?
A. Even at his peak, Kyrgios wasn’t known for his physical endurance. Being fit requires much effort and self-control, which he hasn’t always focused on. Such factors become even more significant after nearly two years away from the sport.
Q. Why did Andy Roddick quit tennis?
A. Roddick stopped playing professional tennis after the 2012 US Open to concentrate on the Andy Roddick Foundation. After retiring, he joined the Austin Aces for World Team Tennis in 2015. In addition, he won titles in the QQQ Champions Series in 2015 and 2017.
Q. Why did Andy Roddick quit?
A. Roddick consistently ranked in the top 10 at the end of each year from 2002 to 2010. He first claimed the No. 1 ranking in 2003. In 2012, Roddick left professional tennis after the US Open to dedicate time to the Andy Roddick Foundation. Later, in 2015, he participated in World Team Tennis with the Austin Aces.
Q. What did Andy Roddick say about Djokovic?
A. Andy Roddick, once ranked world No. 1, called Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon achievements “ridiculous.” He also speculated on how Djokovic will perform at the 2025 Championships.