Emma Raducanu’s new coach was swiftly axed by star who made telling eight-word comment

Emma Raducanu has made headlines again—this time for appointing Francisco Roig, the former long-time coach of Rafael Nadal, as her eighth coach in just a few years. However, the spotlight also briefly fell on Roig’s past coaching role, including a swift departure that came with a notably candid remark from the player involved.

The Sudden Split with Vlado Platenik

Before joining Raducanu’s team, Roig wasn’t the only coach to experience an abrupt exit. One of her recent short-term hires, Vlado Platenik, was dismissed after just 14 days. What made that exit particularly memorable was the eight-word critique he made in hindsight:
“I never had a player who improved as fast.”
Despite the breakup, Platenik praised Raducanu’s rapid progress in a brief statement to The Telegraph  He highlighted specific technical gains, such as improved footwork positioning and a more reliable second serve—noting that she could now execute a kick serve more aggressively .

This leaves room for speculation: was that remark both praise and a subtle hint at underlying frustrations—perhaps reflecting the pressure-cooker environment she’s navigating?

Raducanu’s Coaching Carousel

Raducanu’s frequent coaching changes have become a topic of conversation throughout the tennis world. She has gone through eight coaches, including names like Nigel Sears, Andrew Richardson, Torben Beltz, Dmitry Tursunov, Sebastian Sachs, and the long-time junior coach Nick Cavaday.

Former coaches and tennis insiders have cited lack of long-term vision and differences in approach as reasons behind some splits . Meanwhile, veteran coach Rick Macci, among others, has been critical of her frequent changes, quipping that “she has more coaches the past four years than titles”.

Enter Francisco Roig: A Bid for Stability

Against this backdrop of instability, Raducanu’s decision to hire Francisco Roig marks a decisive shift. With a wealth of experience from working alongside Toni Nadal for nearly two decades, Roig brings tactical insight, technical finesse, and, critically, the experience of coaching champions to Grand Slam glory . Raducanu, who had been working on an informal basis with Mark Petchey, has now committed to a relationship with Roig through the end of 2025.

Final Thoughts

The eight-word remark by Vlado Platenik—“I never had a player who improved as fast”—captures both the promise and the volatility of Emma Raducanu’s coaching journey. As she now embarks on a partnership with Roig, the tennis world will be watching to see whether this one finally brings her the stability she needs heading into the final stretch toward the US Open.