Emma Raducanu’s coach Mark Petchey has stated heavier tennis balls are amongst issues affecting the British quantity two’s makes an attempt to rejoin the world’s elite gamers.
Raducanu exited the French Open after being outclassed by five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek 6-1 6-2 within the second spherical on Wednesday.
The 2021 US Open champion is ranked forty first on this planet and has gained simply one among her 9 profession matches towards top-five gamers.
“From my standpoint, it is robust on Emma as I nonetheless really feel everybody resides in 2021,” stated Petchey, who has been teaching Raducanu in an “casual” association since March.
“The video games have modified massively,” stated Petchey.
And exaggerating to make the purpose about heavier balls, he continued: “The balls are 4 instances heavier than again in 2021 and Emma is not the largest hitter on the market.
“If you cannot put the ball by the court docket on a windy, heavy clay court docket day towards somebody like Iga, you are going to get into all kinds of bother.”
Petchey, a former British primary, coached an 18-year-old Andy Murray for 10 months serving to him break into the highest 50 in 2006 and likewise skilled Raducanu throughout the pandemic summer time of 2020.
He’s combining his teaching commitments together with his work as a pundit for TNT Sports activities of their protection of Roland Garros.
Petchey stated: “Since I began serving to Emma, I stated she wants to start out closing the hole between the most effective gamers.
“She would not want me to sit down between 20-50 on this planet and, if I am not the only option, she wants to search out the only option.
“My mantra to her has been that you’re beginning your profession now. Everyone seems to be judging you on what occurred in 2021 however the actuality is, I wish to see you constructing a profession right here the place folks choose you in two years.”
Raducanu has been with no full-time coach since Nick Cavaday stood down for well being causes in January.
The 22-year-old has beforehand labored with various coaches together with Nigel Sears, Andrew Richardson, Torben Beltz, Dmitry Tursunov and Sebastian Sachs.
