Emma Raducanu’s ex-coach already has new protege after run-in with Brit in Indian Wells | Tennis | Sport

“In a way I think we had a few moments where we weren’t agreeing on a few things. Other than that, we still maintain a great relationship and I’ve seen him here, it’s been great to a see a familiar, great face around,” the 2021 US Open champion told Sky Sports ahead of her own campaign in the desert.

As the No. 25 seed, Raducanu received a bye directly into the second round and faces qualifier Anastasia Zakharova on Friday. But Roig’s new protege has already been out on the court and lost in the first round.

The big-serving, 6ft 7inch French ace suffered a close 6-3 1-6 7-5 defeat to Kamil Majchrzak on Thursday. But he’s still taking plenty of positives from his new working relationship with Roig, and hopes they will both be in it for the long haul.

“He’s very rigorous about technique, footwork, movement, and footwork. He has a lot of experience, which is what I was looking for; he’s coached Rafa [Nadal], Feliciano Lopez, and Raducanu. I’m trying to learn very quickly, and now we’ll have time to spend together on the court,” Mpetshi Perricard told L’Equipe.

The 22-year-old has been ranked as high as No. 29 in the world and, in 2024, he lifted two titles and reached the second week of Wimbledon. But he’s had mixed results since.

Mpetshi Perricard recently parted ways with long-time coach Emmanuel Planque and briefly worked with Philippe Dehaes for the Middle East swing, but he’s enjoying Roig’s refreshing insight.

The world No. 54 added: “It’s a different approach. I was used to the [French Tennis] Federation, but this is the Spanish way. When a shot isn’t working, or even if the shot is good but the footwork isn’t right, he’ll tell me. Right now, I’m in a learning phase, learning to move better. Sometimes it’s still a bit rough, but I think it will take shape with time. He understood how I play, he saw what I could improve, especially my footwork – there’s work to be done, and that’s great, it means I have enormous room for improvement.”