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Britain’s Dan Evans has expressed concerns about the future of Emma Raducanu’s partnership with Mark Petchey. The 22-year-old, who was once regarded as the next big thing after winning the US Open at the age of just 18, has often been criticised for changing too many coaches.
Raducanu has struggled with form in recent years, which led her to make changes in the coaching staff. She appointed Petchey, who has experience working with former world number one Serena Williams, Andy Murray, and Maria Sharapova.
British player Evans recently spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live, where he expressed doubt about the partnership of Raducanu with Petchey. The 34-year-old stated that, in his opinion, the former world number 10 will be looking for a new coach soon. "It can’t last if she starts losing matches and Petchey is in the commentary box, that’s not going to work," he said. "I think Emma will be looking for a new coach again pretty soon if she starts to lose some matches on the grass into the US swing. I’m not sure how that can last as it is."
Most recently, Raducanu shared the experience of working with Petchey in a detailed interview with Sky Sports. "He's not a super technical coach, there are certain tweaks, as always, but that is something I am going away from," she said. "I have been very technical in the past, there has been a time and a place for that because I needed to make improvements. But from now on, it's more about doing the right things, taking the ball on more, and just repetition of certain drills and patterns, which he is very good at setting up. It's a good challenge for my game. I want to work on doing things differently to try and bridge the gap between where I am now and where I want to be. I'm going to use the season to take pressure off, try and be more aggressive and play the way I want to more so, so it can help me on the other surfaces."
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Yankees only willing to part with top prospect for one specific player
The New York Yankees (59-49) have already been quite busy as buyers ahead of the July 31 (6 p.m. EST) trade deadline. Third baseman Ryan McMahon, infielder Amed Rosario and outfielder Austin Slater have all been added to the fold over the last week as Brian Cashman looks to push his roster over the top in pursuit of a World Series. While the Yankees have been active, they've done so without giving up any of their top prospects. Outfielder Spencer Jones continues to be a hot commodity around baseball, though New York is hesitant to deal him. Unless that is for Pirates superstar starting pitcher Paul Skenes, that is. MLB insider Jon Heyman shared the report on Thursday afternoon. Cashman and the Yankees clearly hold Jones in very high regard, which makes sense given he's lit up both AA and AAA in 2025. The 24-year-old is batting an impressive .402 with 13 HRs and 25 RBI in just 21 games since getting called up to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. His 6'7, 240-pound frame and skillset as a left-handed hitter are tantalizing, and he'll be ready to make an impact at the big league level sooner rather than later. Despite that, there's no question the Yankees should and would be willing to put him on the table in a trade for Skenes. The 23-year-old has been absolutely dominant to start his MLB career, with a 1.89 earned run average through his first 45 starts. He's already emerged as one of, if not the best, pitchers in baseball, with plenty of room to grow. The Pirates (47-62) have shown zero inclination or willingness to move on from Skenes, though you have to figure that teams like the Yankees will continue to call as long as Pittsburgh continues to struggle. It feels like a pipe dream for now, but holding out hope for Skenes to one day become available could be worth the wait, and no prospect would be excluded in such a deal.
Latest reporting paints unflattering picture of Shedeur Sanders amid QB competition
The extraordinarily rare four-man quarterback competition unfolding in Cleveland is ongoing, but adjustments are being made. Kenny Pickett is out with a hamstring injury, giving Joe Flacco a wider runway to reacquire the job. While Pickett recovers, Kevin Stefanski said Flacco will take the bulk of the first-team reps, via ESPN.com’s Daniel Oyefusi. Flacco did not take as many offseason reps, but because of his 2023 Browns showing, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer indicates he received what amounted to a first-round bye in this battle ahead of training camp. Flacco proved he remained a capable starter during a serviceable but unremarkable Colts stint, but his elevating a battered Browns offense to a playoff berth in 2023 carries considerable weight. The Browns are obviously evaluating how a 40-year-old Flacco differs from his 38-year-old version, but with Pickett down, the 18th-year veteran has a chance to impress and start a season opener for the first time since filling in for Zach Wilson in 2022. This would be Flacco’s 14th time earning a Week 1 NFL start. As Flacco enjoys a strong opportunity to grab the reins, Shedeur Sanders does not look to have a chance at the Week 1 gig. Sanders entered the Browns’ offseason program “far behind” Flacco, Pickett and third-rounder Dillon Gabriel, Breer adds, and is trying to catch up. Sanders received extensive criticism for his strange approach to the pre-draft process, but beyond proving difficult in interviews with teams (as a recruiting-type mentality is believed to have taken place on the QB’s part), Sanders drew attention for being behind from a "football-knowhow standpoint," according to Breer. The two-year Colorado starter being as far behind as he was during predraft meetings surprised some, Breer adds, and he fell into fourth place during the Browns’ offseason workouts due in part to lagging on the football IQ front. To open camp, the first-team reps primarily went to Flacco and Pickett, with Gabriel taking the leftover work. Operating as an inverse option to Sanders thus far, Gabriel has impressed with his football IQ while presenting a less-than-ideal frame (at 5-foot-10) and skillset. The Browns plan to stop sending out two offensive units simultaneously, a tactic deployed due to the unique four-man QB battle, according to Stefanski. This transition will lead to fewer reps, further increasing Sanders’ degree of difficulty as a developmental option. As it stands, Sanders faces a “Super Bowl LI”-like uphill climb to win the job, Breer concludes, adding he has gained ground since workouts started. Although Sanders was a much-rumored first-round candidate, falling to fifth for myriad reasons made it unrealistic he would win the Browns’ Week 1 job. Fifth-round rookies are almost never in QB competitions in the first place, making this training camp more of a developmental stage for the second-generation pro. At the preseason’s conclusion, the Browns will need to decide if they want to carry four quarterbacks — a genuine possibility — on their 53-man roster. Gabriel looks close to a roster lock here, with Sanders the wild card. Pickett’s injury would open a door for the Browns regarding an IR move, as a way to retain both rookies, but it would seem unlikely the team would proceed that way with a player firmly in the mix for the Week 1 job. (The team is not planning to trade one of its rookie arms.) Sanders would need to pass through waivers to reach Cleveland’s practice squad, further complicating the situation. Jimmy Haslam also fielded a question about Arch Manning this week. While the owner cannot realistically comment on the Browns’ path to the soon-to-be Texas starter, he did voice a belief the QB will stay in school for the 2026 season (kicking the can to the 2027 draft), via cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. Haslam mentioned his relationship with the Manning family in offering that prediction. Even if Manning is unlikely to declare for the 2026 draft, next year is projected to include a much deeper class compared to 2025. The Browns having two first-round picks seemingly came in preparation for that. For now, Gabriel and Sanders continue to make their cases about future duty while the Flacco-Pickett veteran matchup represents the far more likely decider for Week 1 this season.
Phillies again connect with Twins in deal for center fielder
A day after lining up on a blockbuster trade of closer Jhoan Duran, the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins have done business again. The Twins agreed to send center fielder Harrison Bader to the Phillies for two prospects, according to multiple reports. ESPN's Jeff Passan had first word of the deal. Bader fills an immediate need for the Phillies, who were looking for an upgrade in center field over incumbent Johan Rojas. In Bader, they get just that: an improved hitter who also plays defense at a high level. He also has a mutual option for 2026 should both sides choose to exercise it. Bader's 12 home runs, 10 stolen bases and .778 OPS showcase a well-rounded skill set that features power and speed. That easily outpaces Rojas' .569 OPS in 152 at-bats this season and doesn't sacrifice much on the bases or in the field. The 31-year-old Bader is also an upgrade over new teammate Brandon Marsh, who has a .717 OPS on the season and is not quite the defender in center field that the former is. In return, the Minnesota Twins acquired Phillies 12th-ranked prospect in outfielder Hendry Mendez (currently in Double-A) and unranked right-hander Geremy Villoria (4.50 ERA in the Dominican Summer League). While not flashy, Bader checks a box for Philadelphia, though surely fans are disappointed that the Phillies didn't go all-in for a more impact bat, much as they did in the bullpen when they traded for Duran on Wednesday evening. But with a few hours to go until the 6 p.m. trade deadline, perhaps the Phillies still have another trick up their sleeve as they gear up for an intense NL East race with the New York Mets. As for Minnesota, a disappointing 2025 campaign has led to something of a sell-off, with more assets possibly in play to be dealt.
Patriots have Drake Maye concern surface early in training camp
The New England Patriots offense isn't humming early in training camp after the return of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Patriots owner Robert Kraft bet that Jerod Mayo's coaching staff was the main problem with New England last season. It appears personnel might be more of an issue than New England wants to admit, based on a report from training camp by Chad Graff of The Athletic. Graff suggested the front office didn't do enough in the offseason to help a unit that ranked 31st in total offense in 2024. The addition of star wide receiver Stefon Diggs won't offset an offense that is having a hard time getting the ball snapped correctly and a second-year quarterback dealing with accuracy issues. "If you’re ready to nitpick and believe the front office didn’t do enough this offseason to improve the offense, there have been plenty of struggles to which you can point," Graff wrote. "In short, the offense has been inconsistent. "At times, the offensive line looks pretty shaky. At times, the bottom of the wide receiver depth chart has struggled. At times (including at Tuesday’s practice), Maye’s accuracy is an issue. And there have been way too many botched snaps between Maye and his centers, which can be drive-enders." Graff did credit Maye with making some "on-the-money" passes at practice, which is expected to come from the No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft. However, the quarterback-center exchange is concerning at this point in the offseason. That's a duty that should have been nailed during OTAs. The Patriots are flirting with disaster with Maye's development by not giving the young quarterback better protection and better weapons to target in the passing game. There's only so much that head coach Mike Vrabel and his staff can fix. Per Over the Cap, New England has $59.6 million in cap space for 2025, the most in the league by nearly $10 million. It might want to make a trade or add a free-agent wide receiver like Amari Cooper or Keenan Allen before Week 1.
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