Francisco Roig, the Spanish coach who previously guided Rafael Nadal, has been observed training alongside French tennis star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard at Indian Wells in the days leading up to the prestigious Masters tournament.
The sighting, reported by Groundpass, comes shortly after Roig concluded his brief tenure with British player Emma Raducanu.
Should this arrangement become permanent, it would represent Roig’s return to coaching on the men’s tour for the first time since his stint with Italian player Matteo Berrettini, which spanned ten months during 2023 and 2024.
The powerful-serving Frenchman recently parted ways with Emmanuel Planque, ending a four-year coaching partnership.
Roig’s collaboration with Raducanu lasted merely half a year before the pair announced their separation following the Australian Open.
The highly anticipated partnership between the British star and Nadal’s former mentor failed to produce the expected results on court.
Raducanu confirmed the news through an Instagram post in late January, expressing gratitude despite their decision to part ways.
Francisco Roig, the Spanish coach who previously guided Rafael Nadal, has been observed training alongside French tennis star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard at Indian Wells in the days leading up to the prestigious Masters tournament
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“Francis, thank you for our time together. You have been more than a coach to me and I will cherish the many good times we spent together on the court,” she wrote.
“While we have come to the conclusion together that we ought not to move forward, please know that I am very grateful for all you have taught me and fond of our time shared.”
Mpetshi Perricard finds himself at a critical juncture in his career, with his ranking having plummeted significantly over the past twelve months.
Five facts for tennis fans | GETTY/PA
The Frenchman once reached a career-best position of 29th in the world but now sits at number 56, a decline that suggests fresh tactical input may be necessary.
His 2026 season has proven particularly challenging, with first-round exits at four tournaments already, notably at both the Australian Open and Qatar Open.
The split with Planque, who had worked with Mpetshi Perricard since the early stages of his professional career, came earlier this month.
Mark Petchey has returned to Raducanu’s coaching setup following the conclusion of her time with Roig.
Mark Petchey is coaching Emma Raducanu again
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GettyThe British player currently occupies the 24th spot in the world rankings, demonstrating continued progress despite her turbulent coaching history.
Reports suggest that whilst Roig and Raducanu maintained a positive personal relationship, they held differing views regarding the direction of her game development.
The 2021 US Open champion appeared uncomfortable with her playing style under the Spanish coach’s guidance, particularly during the opening weeks of the 2026 campaign.
Nevertheless, Raducanu has managed to sustain her upward trajectory in the rankings throughout these coaching transitions.
