Andy Murray Tipped to Become Coach for Emma Raducanu - British Tennis Dream Team?

Could a British tennis dream team be forming? Recent rumors suggest Andy Murray might coach Emma Raducanu, a partnership many insiders call the perfect match for British tennis.

Tennis commentator Mark Petchey started this conversation when he called it a “dream partnership for Brits,” and now everyone from former players to tennis journalists is weighing in on whether Murray is tipped to become coach for Emma Raducanu.

The Current Coaching Situation

Raducanu’s Coach Changes

Emma Raducanu has gone through many coaches since her surprise 2021 US Open win as a qualifier.

British tennis watchers point out she’s now looking for her eighth coach in her pro career, creating what The Independent calls a “revolving door” of coaches.

Her coaching timeline shows the pattern:

Andrew Richardson (US Open victory coach)
Torben Beltz (5 months, split April 2022)
Dmitry Tursunov (3 months trial, left to work with another player)
Sebastian Sachs (6 months, split over “different ideas”)
Nick Cavaday (14 months until January 2025, left for health reasons)
Vladimir Platenik (2 week trial in March 2025, ended as Raducanu felt “stressed”)

Now, she’s working casually with Mark Petchey (who coached Murray early in his career) and gets help from Jane O’Donoghue, her childhood coach.

“When I play my best I am definitely authentic, true to myself and creative,” Raducanu said at the Miami Open. “I feel when I am boxed into a set way then I am not able to express myself the same way.”

This view on coaching matters when thinking about who might work well with her.

Murray’s Coaching Start

After retiring at the Paris Olympics, Murray quickly began coaching his old rival Novak Djokovic before the 2025 Australian Open.

According to Sky Sports, this work is ongoing with talks about carrying on through big events like Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

“It’s more work than I expected,” Murray said about coaching, adding that he’s still learning “the technical side of the game from a coach’s view.”

His coaching style with Djokovic shows key things that might apply to work with Raducanu:

Open talks: Murray says Djokovic is “very open” with talking being “really, really good” both on and off court
Match planning: He likes studying match videos and planning game plans
Court smarts: Murray brings real insights from having played against top players
Keeping motivation: He sees helping Djokovic “find that motivation to keep going” as a key part of his job

How Raducanu’s Playing Now

Raducanu’s 2025 season has mixed great moments with tough patches. Her run to the Miami Open quarterfinals in March was her best result this year, which happened while working with Petchey.

Some facts about her game right now:

Serve issues: Her serve gets broken in 38% of her service games this season
Return game: She’s winning only 32% of break points, below most top 20 players
Fitness progress: After wrist and ankle issues in past seasons, her stamina has improved in 2025

At the Madrid Open last month, Raducanu beat world number 16 Liudmila Samsonova before losing to Aryna Sababalka in straight sets. The match showed both her skills and where she needs to grow.

Tim Henman, former British number one, said during TV coverage: “Emma’s backhand is world-class, but her forehand in rallies needs more clarity. That’s where someone like Murray could help right away.”

Why Murray Could Be Right For Raducanu

Tennis experts back this possible British tennis team-up, with Mark Petchey openly calling it a “dream partnership for Brits” that could jump-start Raducanu’s career.

Not many fans know that Murray himself has shown interest in coaching Raducanu. When Tennis Channel asked him to name players he’d like to coach after retirement, he said “Female player – Emma Raducanu” as one of his picks.

Four good reasons back up this possible tennis partnership:

British tennis background – Both know the pressure British players face at Wimbledon and year-round
Murray’s match smarts – His tennis brain and game planning have earned praise from rivals like Djokovic
Grand Slam know-how – Murray’s path to major titles offers lessons for Raducanu
Game knowledge – His grasp of modern tennis could sharpen Raducanu’s play without making it too complex

Laura Robson, who won Olympic silver with Murray in mixed doubles, backs the idea too, saying he would be an “amazing” coach thanks to his “analytical mind” and love for technique and tactics. “I can definitely see him working with Emma Raducanu,” she added in a recent talk.

How Murray Could Fix Raducanu’s Game

Looking closely at Raducanu’s play shows exactly where Murray’s know-how could make the biggest difference:

Forehand issues: Tennis analyst Craig O’Shannessy, who worked with Novak Djokovic on strategy, points out: “Raducanu’s forehand grip changes between defense and attack create timing problems when she’s under pressure.” Murray’s solid forehand with minimal grip changes could fix this key shot.

Return position problems: Raducanu often stands too close to the baseline when returning big serves. Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash says: “She’s getting rushed on returns against the top players.” Murray’s return of serve was one of his best weapons, and his know-how here would be priceless.

Point building weaknesses: Martina Navratilova said during Raducanu’s Madrid Open loss: “She’s hitting great shots but without a clear pattern or purpose sometimes.” Murray’s match smarts could change this part of her game.

Net game gaps: As women’s tennis needs more net skills now, Raducanu’s underdeveloped net game is a missed chance. Murray, a good volleyer even in his baseline era, could build this part of her game.

Mental toughness: Tennis psychologist Dr. Alexis Castorri, who worked with Andy Murray and Ivan Lendl, says: “Raducanu shows signs of nerves in big moments. Murray’s experience with similar challenges makes him perfect to guide her.”

Challenges For A Murray-Raducanu Team

While the possible good points look strong, several big hurdles could stop this British tennis partnership before it starts:

Coach turnover issues – Raducanu’s habit of changing coaches raises real questions about long-term success. Tennis fans online worry that “players who often change coaches may struggle to stick with needed changes.”

Schedule problems – Murray’s current work with Djokovic creates real practical challenges. Even Petchey admitted that Murray is “a bit tied up with Novak now” with talks about continuing through Wimbledon.

Women’s tour adjustment – Murray’s playing and coaching experience is all in men’s tennis. Moving to the WTA tour would mean changing his approach to different game styles and player needs.

The Wimbledon doubles history – A slightly awkward situation exists after Raducanu pulled out of a planned mixed doubles team with Murray at Wimbledon 2024. She apologized and Murray showed “disappointment but understanding,” but the situation got lots of media coverage.

British press attention – The spotlight on this all-British team would be constant, with every practice and match result picked apart in detail.

Telegraph tennis writer Simon Briggs thinks Raducanu needs more than just a famous coach, saying she needs a “complete big picture plan” and work on specific technical issues including her serve.

Coach vs Player: Style Comparison

Murray’s Coaching Style	Raducanu’s Needs	Match Assessment
Analysis and details	Moving away from “super technical” approach	May need adjustment
Video study and data	Prefers “authentic” feel to her game	Murray would need to balance analysis with feel
Intense practice	Values “relaxed environment”	Possible clash in training style
Direct communication	Needs coaches she “trusts”	Communication style may need tweaking
Match planning	Wants focus on “doing the right things”	Good match for match prep
Media pressure handling	Struggles with media pressure	Murray great for helping with British press
Long-term development	History of short coach relationships	Clear talk needed from start
Mental toughness	Needs confidence building	Murray’s mental strength know-how useful

What Raducanu Wants From A Coach

Understanding what Raducanu looks for in a coach shows possible matches with Murray’s approach:

She greatly values trust and personal connection, clearly stating she needs “some really good people around me who I trust and who I have fun with off the court as well.”

Her coaching wishes have changed lately. She’s moved away from what she calls “super technical” coaching, now wanting approaches focused on “doing the right things, taking the ball on more, and repeating certain drills and patterns.”

The British tennis star specifically wants coaches with:

A “robust work ethic”
“Genuine passion and love for the game”
A strong “hunger to win big titles and achieve the best”
The ability to create a “relaxed setting… but focused when needs to be”

Murray’s famous work ethic and drive match well with several of these wishes. His dedication to excellence is well-known in tennis.

But possible conflict points exist. Murray’s highly analytical, detail-focused approach shown with Djokovic might need adjustment to fit with Raducanu’s stated wish for a less technical, more authentic playing style.

These different approaches would need mutual adjustment and clear talks from the start.

Expert Takes: What Tennis Voices Are Saying

The possible Murray-Raducanu partnership has gotten different reactions across tennis:

Brad Gilbert, former coach to Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick, gives careful support: “Murray’s tennis brain is amazing and Emma needs tactical clarity. But coaching needs different skills than playing. Andy’s early work with Djokovic looks promising, but the WTA tour brings different challenges.”

Johanna Konta, former British number one who briefly worked with Murray’s ex-coach Esteban Carril, offers insider knowledge: “The British tennis circle is small. They’ve known each other for years. That familiarity could help, but also brings issues. Emma needs someone who gets her specific journey.”

Rennae Stubbs, respected coach who thought about working with Raducanu before, stresses the importance of matching well: “Before I would think about coaching Emma, I’d want to talk with her and understand what she wants. Murray would need to do the same. It’s about finding good fit first.”

Judy Murray, Andy’s mother and respected coach, talks carefully about Raducanu needing stability: “Any young player needs the same approach over time. Changing direction all the time makes it hard to grow. Andy understands the importance of a stable team better than most.”

Boris Becker, who coached Novak Djokovic to multiple Grand Slam wins, talks about the career timing mismatch: “Andy is just starting his coaching career. Emma needs someone to help her build consistency. Both timing and hopes would need careful handling.”

Tennis History: Great Players Turned Coaches

Looking at past cases where well-known male coaches worked with top WTA players gives useful background for a possible Murray-Raducanu team:

Success stories:

Michael Joyce and Maria Sharapova – This seven-year partnership produced three Grand Slam titles and the World No.1 ranking. Joyce used a personal approach that sometimes meant “picking a fight” with Sharapova to sharpen her competitive edge. He changed his motivation based on her unique personality.
Darren Cahill and Simona Halep – Cahill helped Halep reach World No.1 and win her first Grand Slam at Roland Garros. Halep called him “the best coach at the moment” during their time together.
Wim Fissette’s multiple champions – His record includes coaching Kim Clijsters to three Grand Slam titles, Angelique Kerber to Wimbledon victory, and Naomi Osaka to two major trophies. His ability to work with different personalities shows how important flexibility is.

Warning examples:

Jimmy Connors and Maria Sharapova – This high-profile partnership lasted just one match in 2013. Sharapova later explained that Connors “came in at the wrong time and in the wrong place” during a period when she struggled with injuries and negative thinking.

What made the successful ones work? Key factors include:

Personality match – The coach-player relationship needs real trust beyond just tennis teaching
Flexible coaching – Good coaches adjust their methods to each player’s needs
Open communication – Regular, honest talks prevent misunderstandings
Shared goals – Agreement on short and long-term aims keeps the partnership on track
Handling media pressure – Good ways to manage outside attention help maintain focus

These examples suggest the most successful partnerships involve coaches who really understand women’s tour dynamics, something Murray would need to learn.

British Tennis Dream Team: Real Possibility or Just Talk?

For a Murray-Raducanu coaching setup to succeed beyond media buzz and create real tennis results, several key things must line up:

Long-term commitment – Both would need to change their recent patterns: Raducanu’s frequent coach changes and Murray’s focus on Djokovic
Clear expectations – Honest talks about roles, goals, and working styles from the beginning would be essential
Murray learning women’s tennis – He would need to apply his tennis brain to the specific patterns and tactics of women’s tennis
Raducanu’s total trust – Her complete faith in Murray’s guidance even during tough times would be a must
Media protection – Creating a safe space away from British press attention would keep their working relationship healthy
Realistic improvement timeframe – Both sides and British tennis fans would need reasonable expectations about how fast they’d see results
Working well together – Beyond tennis knowledge, their personalities and communication styles must work well together

Looking at expert opinions and past examples, this partnership has both huge potential and real challenges. Their shared British tennis background creates natural connection, while Murray’s experience could provide the stability Raducanu clearly needs.

The story of Britain’s greatest male player guiding its brightest female star makes this possibility worth watching despite the obstacles.

FAQs About A Murray-Raducanu Partnership

Is Andy Murray actually coaching now?

Murray started coaching Novak Djokovic in January 2025 after retiring following the Paris Olympics. This is his first major coaching job, which he called “more work than expected” but a “unique chance.” His coaching style focuses on match prep, game planning, and motivation.

Why has Emma Raducanu gone through so many coaches?

Raducanu has worked with at least seven different coaches since her 2021 US Open win. Each change had different reasons: Andrew Richardson left after the US Open; Torben Beltz ended on good terms after 5 months; Dmitry Tursunov chose to coach someone else after a 3-month trial; Sebastian Sachs split due to “different ideas” after 6 months; Nick Cavaday stepped down for health reasons after 14 months; and Vladimir Platenik’s 2-week trial ended because Raducanu felt it “wasn’t heading in the right direction.” This pattern raises questions about coaching stability.

Has Murray said he wants to coach Raducanu?

Yes, Murray has specifically mentioned Raducanu as someone he’d like to coach. When Tennis Channel asked him to name players he’d want to coach after retirement, he directly said: “Female player – Emma Raducanu.” He has also praised her talent, saying after her US Open victory: “It was incredible what she did there… I think for a lot of the people in British tennis, we knew she was extremely good.”

Who is coaching Raducanu right now?

Raducanu is working with Mark Petchey (who coached Murray early in his career) informally. This setup began during her run to the quarterfinals at the Miami Open, her best tournament result this year. Jane O’Donoghue, Raducanu’s childhood mentor, also helps, particularly when Petchey’s TV commentating work for Tennis Channel takes priority.

Could Murray coach both Djokovic and Raducanu at the same time?

This seems unlikely. Murray’s current work with Djokovic includes talks about continuing through major tournaments like the French Open and Wimbledon. Murray has said coaching “is a big commitment… if you want to do it properly” and has talked about wanting family time. Managing two high-profile coaching jobs would create major scheduling conflicts and split focus.

Which parts of Raducanu’s game might Murray help improve?

Tennis experts have spotted several areas where Murray’s knowledge could help Raducanu’s game. Mark Petchey has said that Raducanu’s forehand and backhand haven’t clearly improved since her 2021 US Open win. Other commentators point to her serve as needing work, noting it gets broken too often at the pro level. Murray’s analytical approach could address these technical issues while helping develop more consistent match tactics.

Would the LTA support this partnership?

The LTA, Britain’s tennis governing body, would likely view this potential partnership positively. They’ve previously supported Raducanu’s development and maintain close ties with Murray through various programs. A partnership between Britain’s most successful male player and its brightest young female star would fit with the LTA’s mission to develop British tennis talent and might receive practical or financial support if made official.

As Wimbledon approaches and the grass court season heats up, this potential partnership remains one of British tennis’s most intriguing storylines. Both players face turning points in their careers – Murray building his coaching reputation and Raducanu seeking consistency after her meteoric rise.

Whether Andy Murray is truly tipped to become coach for Emma Raducanu will likely be revealed in the coming weeks. One thing’s certain: British tennis fans will be watching Centre Court closely for any signs of this possible powerhouse partnership.