Trust and a connection - why Raducanu rehired Richardson

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• Published1 hour ago

Emma Raducanu believes it is "very difficult to say" she made a mistake in parting ways with coach Andrew Richardson after her 2021 US Open triumph.

Britain's Raducanu has recently rehired Richardson almost five years after her stunning triumph as she looks to revive a career that has failed to live up to its early promise.

Raducanu, who starts her French Open campaign against Argentina's Solana Sierra on Sunday, has been blighted by injuries and illness in recent years.

The 23-year-old has only gone beyond the third round of a major once since her New York win and is now at 37 in the world rankings.

Asked if not continuing with 52-year-old Briton Richardson had been a mistake, Raducanu said: "Everything in my life changed upside down.

"I didn't really think I had a handle over the situation in the sense that I was being pulled left and right. I didn't really know what was going on.

"A lot of experiences over the last few years have taught me about what I didn't want. It taught me that I really value having people I trust and connect with around me.

"It's really nice to have that feeling back."

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Raducanu and Richardson initially linked up in April for a four-day training stint at the Ferrer Tennis Academy in Spain, where Richardson has been the tennis director for several years.

She announced they were reuniting on a full-time basis earlier in May and has now confirmed they will work together for the rest of the season.

"We kept on good terms and it was one of those moments when the timing was right," Raducanu, who initiated the move by sending Richardson a text, told BBC Sport.

"He doesn't care about the noise and is really good at centring me."

Raducanu's first match back under Richardson's guidance ended in a straight-set defeat by France's Diane Parry in Strasbourg last week.

She arrived at Roland Garros having barely played in the past three months because of the lingering effects of a viral illness, but Raducanu resisted the temptation to skip the clay-court major.

"There was definitely the option to start on the grass straight away," she said.

"Putting the miles in the legs on the dirt will help me for next year's clay-court season, help build up the physical and technical skills, and getting competitive match practice so I'm not starting at ground zero.

"I'm pleased I made this decision to play and regardless of results I know it is the right one."

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Sunday, 24 May - Sunday, 7 June

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Analysis: How focus, intensity and good habits can revive Raducanu

Since that unforgettable US Open run, Raducanu has shown she plays better when surrounded by long-time confidants who she trusts implicitly.

It is natural that the carousel nature of her coaching choices - burning through several full-time coaches, as well as ad hoc guidance - has swung back to almost the very start.

Raducanu's demeanour at Roland Garros has been markedly different to the tense, tight figure we saw at a dispiriting Australian Open.

During a practice session with fellow Briton Francesca Jones, she hit with the focus and intensity many feel she has been lacking.

Richardson is an old-school coach who brings volume to create good habits - basically, hitting plenty of balls and putting in the hard yards.

Known as a 'gentle giant', Raducanu says Richardson also has a fiery side that ignites the competitive spark in her.

His messaging during practice sessions might be sparse, but the targeted input has an impact with a player who likes to be challenged by her coaches.

Richardson also brings a lighter touch, with Raducanu relaxed and jovial in a pre-tournament chat with British journalists.

Proof of her progress will be in the pudding when she takes to the court against Sierra.

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  • Published16 August 2025