TV BOSSES have opened the door for Mark Petchey to continue working with Emma Raducanu on a part-time coaching basis.
And should the pair decide to extend their working partnership beyond this past fortnight, this could mean a possible collaboration at Wimbledon.
Petchey, 54, was in Raducanu’s corner when she lost in three sets to Jessica Pegula in the Miami Open quarter-finals.
In the late-night contest, she experienced “dizziness” – due to the humidity and the fact her match had been significantly delayed – and she required medical treatment.
Former pro Petchey has a full-time job as a commentator and pundit with the Tennis Channel.
He only worked with good pal Raducanu because she needed advice and help after surprisingly ending a trial period with Slovakian Vladimir Platenik.
But SunSport understands that bigwigs at the American sports digital cable and satellite television network have no qualms if he wishes to continue in this dual role.
In the past, Tennis Channel ‘talent’ like Lindsay Davenport and Paul Annacone have worked with top stars, combining their coaching with commentating.
Petchey coached Andy Murray, when he was 18, for 10 months and trained with Raducanu during the 2020 Covid pandemic summer.
There is a good rapport between the two and he was seen engaging in intense Spikeball warm-up routines with her team while out in Florida.
Petchey has yet to speak about the situation but posted a cryptic message on social media on Thursday.
His message said: “I think most advice is a reflection of the giver’s limits, not your potential.”
In the second set against American ace Pegula, Raducanu played some of her best tennis since becoming a Grand Slam champion, aged 18, at the US Open in 2021.
The Kent star – who is set to return to the world’s top 50 on Monday – led 5-2 and had four set points in the eighth game before she called for a doctor.
Raducanu had her blood pressure taken and was given ice towels to cool down before resuming – and then she levelled up at 1-1 sets in the tie-break.
But Pegula, 31, showed why she is one of the best players around as she succeeded 6-4 6-7 6-2 – she took on 19-year-old Filippino Alexandra Eala overnight in the semi-finals.
Raducanu, 22, said: “I just felt really dizzy, I felt a bit faint.
“It was very humid out there, of course, and we had a long wait (to start the match).
“Maybe an accumulation of physical points as well, there were long rallies and heavy conditions.
“I don’t know how I kind of regrouped in that second set and in the third I struggled a little bit.
“I’m really proud of how I fought. I competed well throughout the match.
“I think Jessica played a really good match from start to finish. Showed her class at the end and her level.
“Despite losing I can take some good positives from this week and look forward. It was nice to have that feeling of playing pretty well again.
“That’s kind of been missing and also just the fighting and the competitive spirit. That is something I drew out of myself this week.
“It’s refreshing and nice to have that feeling on the court.”
Raducanu’s next appearance will be in Britain’s double-header against Germany and hosts Holland at the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers on April 11-12.
After that she will focus on the European clay-court season – the French Open is in late May – and then she turns to grass competitions.
Asked about her short-term plans, she said: “I think I just need to take a beat and kind of re-evaluate what I’m doing.
“This week it was good but I need to kind of just figure things out and then I’ll make a plan from there.”
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