Emma Raducanu gets candid advice as she is told to copy Roger Federer coaching move

Emma Raducanu — the 2021 US Open champion who shot to global fame as a teenage qualifier — is being handed some unexpected advice as she navigates one of the most challenging phases of her professional career. Former British No. 1 Greg Rusedski has publicly suggested that Raducanu might benefit from taking a leaf out of Roger Federer’s book by spending time training without a full-time coach — an approach he believes helped the Swiss legend reach his peak.

The 23-year-old Brit recently ended her coaching partnership with Francisco Roig, the long-time aide of Rafael Nadal, following her early exit at the Australian Open. Since then, Raducanu has been working with an interim figure, Alexis Canter, an LTA coach, but has yet to appoint a permanent full-time coach.

Raducanu’s 2026 season has been a mix of promise and frustration. After splitting with Roig, she reached the final of a WTA 250 event in Romania — her first tour final since her historic US Open win — only to lose convincingly. Shortly afterward, she was knocked out in the opening round of the Dubai Tennis Championships by Antonia Ruzic.

Rusedski’s advice, delivered on his podcast “Off Court With Greg,” centres on patience and self-discovery. He pointed to Federer’s career trajectory in the early 2000s, when the Swiss icon went through a period of playing without a coach — including 2004, when he won the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open without a full-time guiding figure. According to Rusedski, that stretch of autonomy was “possibly the best thing” for Federer, allowing him to take ownership of his game and refine his approach away from the pressures and influences of a formal coaching relationship.

“I remember Roger Federer going through a period by himself without a coach, and it was possibly the best thing for him,” Rusedski said, underscoring his belief that time without a coach could help Raducanu figure out exactly what she wants from her support team and her game. He also stressed the importance of having a clear vision and alignment with a coach when she does eventually settle on a long-term partner.

This suggestion comes amid broader questions about Raducanu’s development and coaching situation. Since her breakthrough at the 2021 US Open, she has already worked with multiple coaches, changing setups more often than many of her peers. Raducanu’s career has also been interrupted by injuries, including wrist surgery, and her form has fluctuated as she seeks consistency at the elite level.

Spending time without a formal coach doesn’t mean Raducanu would be training alone — Rusedski emphasised that having someone on tour to hit with and support her is valuable. But rather than rushing into another full-time appointment, he believes the focus should be on clarity and alignment with whoever eventually steps into the role.

Comparisons with Federer’s journey highlight how even the greatest players sometimes benefit from unconventional approaches. Federer’s time without a coach helped crystalise his understanding of his game and fostered self-reliance — factors that arguably contributed to his dominance in the mid-2000s. Applying a similar strategy to Raducanu’s context could provide her with breathing room to evolve her own tennis philosophy and identify exactly what she needs from a coach.

That said, Raducanu’s decision will ultimately depend on how she and her team view her long-term goals. Tennis insiders have noted that the right coach doesn’t just guide tactics and technique — they also help manage physical conditioning, mental resilience, and the grind of the tour schedule. Raducanu has shown glimpses of elite potential, and a strategic partnership with the right mentor could unlock the consistency required to climb back up the rankings.

As she prepares for upcoming events — including the WTA 1000 tournament at Indian Wells in March — Raducanu’s approach to coaching will be watched closely by fans and pundits alike. Whether she follows Rusedski’s suggestion and embraces a period of self-guided growth, or swiftly finds a new permanent coach, one thing is clear: her decisions in the coming weeks could be pivotal in shaping the next chapter of her career.