"You can't expect results to come right away - that's a long process" - Patience advocated by Navratilova to Raducanu as Henman underlines physical setbacks

To have a coach, or not have a coach. That is the question pitched and debated by many surrounding Emma Raducanu's recent form prior to the split with Francisco Roig. 18-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova recommended the Brit to find a coach, while former British number one Tim Henman focused on how she could improve, citing her physical attributes as something holding her back.

After a slow start to the year, Raducanu and Roig went their separate ways after what had looked like a promising partnership. It turned out to be the Spaniard who pushed for this decision because of the pair of them having different ideas and motives on court. Raducanu, who wants to play her way, has been without a coach since. Adding to that, there does not seem to be any rush in delving into the market and seeing who is free and available.

A hot prospect for many, it could prove to be a poisoned chalice after taking a glance at the graveyard that is former Raducanu coaches. Roig was the 10th one to stand by Raducanu's side, but the 23-year-old has disposed of him in search of the ultimate coach that will take her to that next level.

Navratilova was firm with her statement, which encouraged the former US Open champion to pick up a coach sooner than later. It is a busy period in the tennis calendar amid all the WTA 1000 events taking place before the European clay swing takes the spotlight for a couple of months.

"You need somebody full-time," Navratilova told Sky Sports. "You don't need to have a great coach all the time. Maybe somebody even part-time, which is kind of what she's got. But you still have to stay consistent and get this person to get to know you, get the history and give them a chance to make a difference. You can't expect results to come right away - that's a long process."

Touching on the number of coaches she has been through, the former world number one pestered for Raducanu to see through a suitable period of time with someone to help build chemistry and a relationship. "You need to buy into the coach and stay there for a little bit longer. I think that's the biggest mistake - she's been through too many people and then you get so many different ideas, and you don't quite know which one to stick with."

The best players in the world have one big thing in common: they can hit a ball harder than anyone else. There is a reason the powerhouse that is the world number one Aryna Sabalenka is reaching big finals on a regular basis. That goes for many of the top players, including Amanda Anisimova, who destroyed the Brit in the third round of Indian Wells in ruthless fashion, dropping just two games in a 52-minute routing.

Henman believes that Raducanu will never get to that level, but she can most definitely work on a different physical aspect. "She's never going to be as big a ball striker as Anisimova and the physicality that she brings to the court is obviously intimidating, as these top players are," he admitted. "But that's where I think Raducanu needs to be physically stronger. She needs more physical resilience so she doesn't get the little injuries that put her away from the court. They stop her building the momentum on the match court."

Injuries have been a major problem for Raducanu, seeing her at one point drop out of the top 100 in the world as she was prevented from gaining a lot of precious time on the court. She is enjoying a much better period in terms of avoiding big injuries, but setbacks are still cropping up. Take, for example, the end of the Asian swing and even the start of 2026.

"You can still do a lot of physical work on the court," Henman continued. "Whether it's two on one when you're hitting and moving and building up that physical resilience to get stronger, to get faster, to hit the ball harder, to serve bigger. If I could pinpoint one area, it would most definitely be fitness."

Navratilova stated that it was one thing to hit a ball hard, but continuing to do so is the next step. "You can hit the ball harder once in a while, but if you're not strong enough, you can't maintain it," she said. "It's not about hitting it harder all the time, but being able to sustain it. And the harder you can hit it with less effort, the more control you have and then you save the body because the muscles are doing the work instead of the joints."

Back in 2021, Raducanu announced herself into the mainstream of tennis by successfully winning the US Open. The 18-year-old stormed through qualifying and the main draw without even dropping a set, taking down Leylah Fernandez in a thrilling two weeks.

She has climbed into the top 10, but aside from that, there has not been much to say about her career, just a bunch of false horizons and damaging setbacks. That, in Henman's eyes, should not have an impact on the legacy she has already achieved in this sport. He also hinted that he believes there is more to come from Raducanu.

"I think we all appreciate and understand and see how good she could be," Henman commented. "If she can continue to add these pieces to the puzzle there's no reason why she can't get in the top 20 and then knock on the door of the top 10. It does feel however far we get away from the US Open win, that spotlight will never dim."

He concluded this segment by moving back to the physical discussion surrounding her. "She's a really good athlete, but when she stretched out, she cannot withstand the power that's coming at her and give it back and that's where the gym work comes in."