Emma Raducanu has brought Mark Petchey back into her coaching setup on an informal basis as she prepares for the Indian Wells Masters 1000 tournament.
The decision comes merely days after the 23-year-old British star indicated she was not actively searching for a new coach.
Speaking to the Guardian recently, Raducanu said: “Right now I have Alexis in my corner. He knows me as a person. He knows me as a player.”
Petchey, 55, previously guided the former US Open champion between March and July of last year.
Emma Raducanu has ditched Francisco Roig ahead of the Indian Wells Masters
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REUTERSThe reunion arrives as Raducanu looks to build upon her encouraging run to the Transylvania Open final.
Raducanu parted ways with Francisco Roig following her Australian Open campaign in January.
Since then, Alexis Canter has been working alongside the British number one, and he will continue as part of her team going forward.
Petchey’s return adds another layer of experience to her coaching arrangement, though his role remains supplementary rather than permanent.
The 55-year-old coach brings considerable pedigree to the partnership, having previously worked with Sir Andy Murray during the Scot’s formative years on the professional circuit.
Murray was notably candid about his reasons for ending that collaboration back in 2006.
Mark Petchey has known Emma Raducanu for years and previously said he would take a bullet for the British tennis star | PA
“Mark has been a big part of my success in the last 10 months and we had a great run together but we have had a difference of opinion regarding some aspects of my game,” Murray stated in April 2006.
The three-time Grand Slam champion emphasised that the decision was “very difficult” and “based solely on the development of my tennis.”
Despite their working relationship lasting less than twelve months, Petchey was at Murray’s side when the teenager claimed his inaugural ATP title in February 2006.
That victory came when Murray was just 18 years old, marking a significant milestone in British tennis history.
Petchey responded to the split with characteristic grace, expressing pride in their achievements together.
“I am very proud of what we have achieved together – getting Andy into the top 50 and winning his first ATP title at the age of 18,” Petchey said at the time.
Mark Petchey previously coached Andy Murray | GETTY
“I have no doubt that Andy will make the top 10 and be a Grand Slam winner in the future and wish him every success.”
Murray would go on to exceed those predictions, securing three major titles and two Olympic gold medals.
A decade after their separation, Petchey demonstrated the absence of any ill feeling by declaring Murray Britain’s greatest-ever sportsman following his ascent to world number one in 2016.
