"People are trying to insert themselves into Emma Raducanu's shoes" - Ex-coach urges Brit superstar to 'block out the noise'
Emma Raducanu's former coach, Mark Petchey, urged the 21-year-old to "block out" others' opinions, noting that people try to put themselves in her shoes without facing any of her unique experiences.
Raducanu made history with her 2021 US Open win, achieving multiple records in only her second Grand Slam main draw appearance. She became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title in the Open Era. Moreover, the Brit, then 18, won the title without losing a set.
Since then, however, Raducanu's career has been marred by injuries. She was not able to win another singles title or even reach the second week of a Grand Slam until Wimbledon this year, where her impressive run came to an end at the hands of Lulu Sun in the fourth round.
A lot has been said about the youngster's form and career trajectory since winning the US Open. Mark Petchey, who coached Emma Raducanu in 2020, advised her to block out such noises. Speaking to Bally Casino (via Tennis365), Petchey said that no guidebook could have prepared her for the career-shaping impact of that victory.
"I think it’s important for her to block out the noise... I think everyone’s going to have an opinion on her and broadcast it, but people are trying to insert themselves into her shoes which they have never worn before, even in their own career or life," Petchey said.
"But it is easy to say these things from the outside looking in. When she won the US Open back in 2021, no blueprint or manual could explain what was going to happen in her life or career after that breakthrough moment," he added.
Petchey believed accepting sponsorship and endorsement deals can be tough to resist for a player, particularly when they're young and just starting on the tour.
"There are very few players that would have done anything differently."
"Emma Raducanu is stubborn in certain areas which is a great quality in tennis" - Brit's former coach Mark Petchey
Mark Petchey reflected on his 10 months coaching Emma Raducanu, expressing admiration for her dedication. He highlighted her "stubborn" quality as an asset in tennis.
"She’s stubborn in certain areas which is a great quality in tennis, you need that," Petchey said. "You need to have a certain self-reliance; you need to be able to put things to one side and entertain thoughts that you don’t necessarily always need to implement into your game, but you must consider things."
After undergoing multiple surgeries last year, Emma Raducanu returned to tour this year. Her best performances came during the grasscourt season where she reached the semifinal in Nottingham, a quarterfinal in Eastbourne, and the fourth round at Wimbledon.
Towards the end of the season, she has again picked up injury concerns leading to her missing a major chunk of the Asian swing.