Emma Raducanu has rehired Andrew Richardson, the coach who helped her win the 2021 US Open, on a formal basis as she prepares to return to competition next week in Strasbourg ahead of the French Open. Richardson will accompany Raducanu at the WTA 500 event, her first tournament in two months after a post-viral illness.
During her recovery, Raducanu trained with Richardson at the Ferrer Academy in La Nucía, Spain, which served as a trial period for a potential partnership. In a statement, Raducanu said: “Grateful to have reconnected with someone who has known me for over a decade now and looking forward to building together one iteration at a time.”
The pair first worked together during Raducanu’s youth. She was coached by Nigel Sears at the start of her breakthrough summer in 2021 before joining Richardson in July. Their partnership led to one of the biggest surprises in tennis history as Raducanu won the US Open as a qualifier without dropping a set.
Less than two weeks later, Raducanu controversially chose not to extend their partnership, which had been on a short-term interim basis. The decision sparked discussion, with many suggesting it would have been beneficial to continue with a familiar face. Since then, Raducanu has made several coaching changes, working with Francisco Roig for six months before they parted in February, and with LTA coach Alexis Canter at Indian Wells in March.
Raducanu, now 23, has often sought out familiar coaches from before her breakthrough. Her longest stint was with Nick Cavaday, another childhood coach, who stepped away due to health issues. She also worked informally with Mark Petchey, helping her return to the top 30 last year. Now she has returned to the coach who guided her to her greatest achievement.
