Emma Raducanu has split from coach Andrew Richardson following her US Open triumph and is seeking an experienced mentor to help guide her through her next steps on tour.
Richardson previously coached the 18-year-old at Bromley Tennis Centre and was chosen to accompany Raducanu on her US trip because of their familiarity with one another.
Neither could have imagined where the partnership would lead and, despite the remarkable success it brought, Raducanu has decided she needs a coach with a WTA Tour pedigree.
Emma Raducanu has split from coach Andrew Richardson following her US Open triumph
Neither could have imagined where the partnership would lead to a US Open victory
Speaking after a homecoming event held by the Lawn Tennis Association at the National Tennis Centre, the teenager said: ‘Where I was at after Wimbledon, I was ranked around 200 in the world and at the time I thought Andrew would be a great coach to trial so we went to the States but never did I even dream of winning the US Open and having the run I did and now I’m ranked 22 in the world, which is pretty crazy to me.’
Raducanu continued: ‘I feel like at this stage in my career, and playing the top players in the world, I realised I really need someone right now that has had that WTA Tour experience at the high levels, which means that I’m looking for someone who has been at that level and knows what it takes.
‘And especially right now because I’m so new to it, I really need someone to guide me who’s already been through that.’
Raducanu added that she does not yet have anyone in mind – although she is likely to have noted the news that renowned coach Darren Cahill is now a free agent after his split from Simona Halep with interest – and she does not expect to make any decision until the end of the season.
A willingness to work with a number of different coaches has already been a notable feature of Raducanu’s fledgling career and she has shown no hesitation in ending a partnership if she feels that is the right move, quickly parting from Nigel Sears – Andy Murray’s father in law – after Wimbledon.
On her conversation with Richardson, she said: ‘Obviously having such an experience with your team, it’s tough to have that conversation with anyone, but I think for me it’s just really what I need.’
Raducanu is now back in training and is mulling over where to return to the tour, with the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells – one of the biggest events on the WTA Tour – due to begin on October 6.
She said: ‘I’ll decide in the next few days where I’m going to go to but, wherever I play next, I’m going to make sure I’m ready. I don’t want to jump into things too early.’
The news comes as the new British No 1 – who moved up from No 150 to No 23 in the latest world rankings – was spotted talking and playing with the Duchess of Cambridge during the former’s homecoming event.
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has put together the special soirée to mark the achievements of Raducanu and three other British players who tasted success in Flushing Meadows earlier this month: Gordon Reid, Alfie Hewett and Joe Salisbury.
Raducanu returned to the UK to her hometown of Bromley last week and was seen at a London Fashion Week event on Monday night.
The British No 1 is now expected to make her return to the court at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells on October 4, which is one of the biggest non-Grand Slam events in world tennis.
She was due to feature at next week’s Chicago Fall Tennis Classic event, but pulled out of the tournament – which for the first time is a WTA Tour event – earlier this week.
The new British tennis sensation is also down as an entrant for the Kremlin Cup next month.
Meanwhile, Richardson – as a player – represented GB in the Davis Cup and was successful on the doubles circuit in the 1990s – winning five titles on the ATP Challenger Tour.
Richardson – very close friends with his ex-doubles partner Tim Henman – said after Raducanu’s US Open win that no discussions had taken place about the coming months. ‘No conversations, just enjoy,’ said Richardson.
‘Obviously, this is a moment that doesn’t happen very often. So I’m going to enjoy it and I think she should as well. I’m sure when we get back to England we will see what the plans are.’
Source: Daily Mail
