Imagine a tennis star, once a Grand Slam champion, now relentlessly striving to redefine her game and silence the critics. That's Emma Raducanu, and her ambitions for 2026 are nothing short of a complete overhaul. She's not just aiming for wins; she's aiming for dominance, a shift from reactive tactics to proactive power. But how is she planning to achieve this ambitious goal?
Raducanu has recently embarked on a crucial pre-season training block in Barcelona with her new coach, Francisco Roig, formerly a key part of Rafael Nadal's legendary team. This partnership signals a significant shift in Raducanu's approach. Her recent weeks in London were focused on gym work, vital for recovering from a minor bone bruising in her right foot – an injury that, unfortunately, forced her withdrawal from two exhibition matches in the United States.
Having completed a full 50 matches in the 2025 season—a first for her career—Raducanu is eager to see what Roig can bring to her game. But here's where it gets controversial... Raducanu isn't just looking for marginal improvements; she's fundamentally changing her playing style.
"He wants me to focus a lot more on building a better Emma Raducanu and a better base level," the 23-year-old explains. This "base level" is key. It's about creating a rock-solid foundation that allows her to dictate the flow of matches, rather than constantly reacting to her opponents' strengths. Raducanu acknowledges that her previous approach relied heavily on tactical adjustments and exploiting weaknesses. "I've always been more tactical, more just having to exploit their weaknesses if they have any, and trying to be very crafty."
And this is the part most people miss... While that approach has yielded success, she realizes it's not sustainable in the long run. The ideal, she says, is to "just go and execute your game and know that you can win," regardless of her opponent's specific skills. The goal is to build a game so strong that it consistently overwhelms.
Roig's strategy involves refining technique, timing, and movement, rather than simply pushing for raw physical power. "He's trying to build a better quality, not necessarily by changing my physiological capacities, but by using better technique, better timing and better movement." Raducanu emphasizes that she wants to "dictate the game a lot more," reducing the need for constant running and reactive play. Think of it like a chess master controlling the board – dictating the pace and forcing their opponent into defensive positions.
Raducanu's 2026 season will commence at the United Cup team competition in Perth in January, providing an early test of her revamped game. Her collaboration with Roig extends throughout the year, a commitment that underscores her dedication to this transformation.
Adding another layer to her support system, Emma Stewart joins the team as a physiotherapist and, at least initially, will oversee Raducanu's strength and conditioning program. Raducanu and Stewart have a history, dating back to Stewart's time with the Women's Tennis Association. Stewart's experience also includes work with British Rowing, an area known for its demanding physical requirements.
"I did some work with her in Madrid in 2022 and she really helped me with my back at the time," Raducanu recalls. Given Raducanu's history of back problems, Stewart's expertise in this area is invaluable. "In rowing, you see a lot of hip and back issues, and I've notoriously had a lot of problems with my back. She knows how to treat it, and certain flare-ups I've had, she's helped me with."
Raducanu also appreciates the addition of a female voice to her team. "Having another female on the team is going to be nice and probably different to what I've had previously." Stewart's meticulous approach and understanding of Raducanu's physical vulnerabilities are seen as crucial for injury prevention and optimized performance. "She's very thorough. When you're in the gym doing a certain exercise, she knows my body's weaknesses...She knows where I'm a little bit prone to picking up injuries, and how to strengthen those areas."
Despite battling illness and a foot injury that cut short her 2025 season, Raducanu draws confidence from completing 22 tournaments over nine months. This experience, she believes, has proven her ability to handle the physical and mental demands of a rigorous schedule.
Interestingly, Raducanu holds a perspective on the length of the tennis season that sets her apart from many of her peers. While acknowledging the "challenge," she believes that top players "moaning about the calendar" sends the wrong message, considering the financial rewards the sport offers. "It's not all glamorous," she admits, but emphasizes the importance of setting a positive example for aspiring tennis players. "If we put up a front that isn't complaining, I think that is a better example to people watching, who we are trying to get into tennis - younger people. If they see all the top players moaning about the calendar, I don't think that's necessarily inspiring to look up to." This is a bold statement, and one likely to spark debate within the tennis community.
So, what do you think? Is Raducanu's complete game overhaul a risky gamble, or a necessary evolution to reach the next level? Can she truly dominate matches and reduce her reliance on tactical adjustments? And is she right about the responsibility of top players to avoid complaining about the demanding tennis calendar, even when facing physical and mental fatigue? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
