Emma Raducanu has added Francisco Roig to her team ahead of the 2025 US Open. Roig spent 17 years coaching Rafael Nadal, helping guide him through all 22 of his Grand Slam titles. He now steps into a very different role as Raducanu’s full-time coach through the end of the season. This is a calculated move from a player back on the rise and looking for structure.
Why Emma Raducanu Hired Rafael Nadal’s Former Coach
Raducanu has cycled through eight coaches since winning the US Open in 2021. Most stayed a few months. Roig brings long-term planning, technical experience, and a calm approach.
He’s not trying to reinvent her. He’s trying to sharpen what’s already working again.
Can Francisco Roig Help Raducanu Win Another US Open?
That’s not a ridiculous question anymore. Raducanu is ranked No. 33 in the world and just made the third round at Wimbledon 2025. She’s fully healthy, moving well, and starting to find rhythm in her matches. She’s seeded for the US Open and will avoid the most dangerous early-round opponents.
Roig’s role is to tighten up her baseline game, clean up the serve, and help with in-match decision-making. He’s known for improving shot selection, tempo, and rally tolerance. If Raducanu stays composed, she has the firepower to go deep in a draw that opens up. She’s already proven she can win a Slam when confident and aggressive. The path is hard, but not impossible.
What Raducanu Needs to Compete at the 2025 US Open
She’s in the main draw automatically and trending in the right direction. Still, a deep US Open run will require a few things:
- Consistent first-serve percentage, especially under pressure
- Better shot discipline in longer rallies
- Physical recovery between matches in the second week
- Smart coaching adjustments during match play
Roig can help with all of those areas. He’s known as a technician who sees small flaws that other coaches miss. His experience with Nadal was rooted in movement and simplicity. That translates well to hard court tennis in New York.
Realistic Expectations for Emma Raducanu at the US Open
With her ranking and recent Wimbledon showing, anything less than a fourth-round appearance would feel like a step back. She’s capable of beating seeded players on hard courts. Her ball striking is clean and her timing is back. The challenge will be maintaining that level over multiple matches.
If she makes the second week, everything opens up. A quarterfinal run would be a big success. A semifinal would put her back into the top 20 and silence any lingering doubts about her inconsistency. And if she gets hot for two weeks again, a second title is on the table. Not likely, but not a huge fantasy.
US Open 2025 Dates and Schedule for Raducanu Fans
- Cincinnati Open: August 11 to 17
- US Open main draw begins: August 25
- Women’s final: September 6
She’s expected to play Cincinnati before heading to New York. Her first-round match at the US Open will take place between August 25 and 27 depending on scheduling. She will be seeded and likely placed in the bottom half of the draw.
Is a Raducanu Comeback Underway?
This isn’t a comeback anymore. It’s a return to the level she should be at. Raducanu is fit, seeded, and playing with intent. Roig adds a layer of calm to her camp that’s been missing for years. He’s not there to change her personality or rewire her game. He’s there to make what she already does well more consistent and repeatable.
Can she win the US Open again? She’s got a shot. And for the first time since 2021, that feels like a real conversation again.
