When asked about how she would deal with Raducanu’s situation, shortly after her victory over Uzbekistani star Kamilla Rakhimova, Gauff said: “I don’t think it would go well. There are tournaments where I maybe don’t listen to my coach that much at all, so maybe it is self-coach.
“No, I think, I mean, for me personally, I feel like it’s always good to have some direction. I feel like the team I have now, they don’t overcoach. They let me, you know, think it through.
“Like today I didn’t look at my box for advice once. That’s how I usually prefer it. But, you know, I don’t know, I think it’s nice to have a coach with you, but every player is different.
“I know some players can play well without one, and some prefer just maybe someone like a hitting partner/coach. But I feel like with all the changes I’m making in my game, I think I would get pretty lost without one.”
Before her victory over Anastasia Zakharova in her first round match, Raducanu suggested her reunion with Petchey was also one of convenience, with Andy Murray’s former coach also attending Indian Wells as a pundit.
She said: “With Mark I knew he’d be in Indian Wells so I asked him to come out a few days earlier just to do some stuff with me on the court and try to feel back in a better way with my game.
“At the start of the year I didn’t feel too good but the last few days I’ve been feeling better. It’s not something that has really been organised going forward but I knew he would be here and it’s been great, I always love being on court with him.”
Raducanu faces Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova in her next match tomorrow. The Brit was also involved in doubles action with Romanian star Elena-Gabriela Ruse last night, but they were beaten 6-2, 7-5 by Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend.