Emma Raducanu's coach, Mark Petchey, has 'buried a myth' about the tennis star following her French Open exit at the hands of Iga Swiatek on Wednesday.
Swiatek won 6-1, 6-2 to book her place in the third round of the competition with a straightforward victory at Roland Garros.
It was Raducanu's second appearance at the Grand Slam and though she performed well in her first match, she was disappointing yesterday as Swiatek advanced at her expense.
Petchey is Raducanu's coach, while he also works as a broadcaster.
Emma Raducanu's coach, Mark Petchey, has 'buried a myth' about the tennis star following her French Open exit at the hands of Iga Swiatek on Wednesday
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Plenty has been said and written about the tennis star's work ethic ever since she upset the odds to win the US Open back in 2021.
Yet Petchey, speaking on TNT Sports, has now hit back at suggestions that she doesn't work hard enough.
After saying he was 'tired' of the negativity surrounding Raducanu, he stated: "Whether there are areas that together, we can help her crystalise more gains in the fitness, or the tennis, or whatever - in terms of turning up every day and putting in a good shift, she's done that every single time.
"So I'd like to bury that myth where it belongs."
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Mark Petchey has defended Emma Raducanu after her early exit from the French Open
PAPetchey also elaborated on Raducanu's French Open struggles, insisting the game of tennis has evolved drastically in recent years.
Furthermore, he also feels the tennis star struggles because she isn't a 'big hitter' like some of her rivals.
He said: "The games have changed massively, the balls are four times heavier than back in 2021 and Emma isn't the biggest hitter out there.
"If you can't put the ball through the court on a windy, heavy clay court day against someone like Iga, you're going to get in all sorts of trouble.
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"If anyone has watched Iga's losses over the clay court season, the players that have beaten her have played absolutely lights-out tennis.
"Although everyone's saying Iga's form is bad, I didn't actually think that, and she proved it yesterday.
"On hard courts and grass is a lot closer compared to where Emma was in Australia (where she lost to Swiatek 6-1, 6-0) but against Iga and Coco (Gauff), she knows what she has to do and it will take a long time.
"My mantra to her has been: 'You are starting your career now. Everyone is judging you on what happened in 2021, but the reality is, I want to see you building a career here where people judge you in two years.'"
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Emma Raducanu was outclassed by Iga Swiatek in their French Open showdown on Wednesday
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Meanwhile, speaking after her defeat to Swiatek, Raducanu admitted that she had felt 'exposed' during the showdown in Paris.
“It was tough. I think in the beginning of the match it was pretty tight," she said.
"As it went on, I think she grew in confidence. I just felt a bit exposed. It was a difficult one.
“It was the first time playing a match on that court. It’s also different when it’s filled and it’s got everything around. You do feel like it is a big court. And it’s different and it’s new for me.
“It’s a surrounding that she’s obviously very comfortable with and she’s played in it a lot of times.
"I think that did emphasise me feeling a bit uncomfortable. But it’s a good experience for if I ever play on that court again.”
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