John McEnroe has backed Emma Raducanu’s decision to rehire Andrew Richardson, describing their original split as “nonsensical”. Richardson was the coach when Raducanu became the first qualifier to win a grand slam title at the US Open in 2021. However, the British No. 1 let him go shortly after, believing she needed a coach with more WTA Tour experience.
Since then, Raducanu has had a series of short-term coaching appointments but has now chosen to return to Richardson, with whom she also worked as a junior. The pair reunited ahead of this week’s tournament in Strasbourg.
McEnroe, who will provide commentary for TNT Sports at the French Open, said: “I was amazed that she got rid of the coach in the first place. Why would you get rid of your coach a couple of weeks or a month after winning the US Open? I never understood that. Athletes are superstitious—you don’t change a winning formula. Coming from nowhere to win the US Open, it seemed nonsensical to do what she did.”
Raducanu’s attempts to replicate her New York success have been hampered by physical issues, most recently a post-viral illness that kept her off court for two-and-a-half months. After losing to France’s Diane Parry in her first match in Strasbourg, she heads into the French Open with just one clay-court match under her belt. She will be unseeded in Thursday’s draw, having dropped to 37th in the rankings.
McEnroe doubts she will make a deep run in Paris but believes the reunion with Richardson could pay off at Wimbledon. “Grass is clearly her more comfortable surface against top players. I don’t see her as comfortable on clay. Is it too little, too late? She’s still young. I don’t know her physical or mental state. But I hope she has a better chance of doing something big at Wimbledon, even with more pressure.”
