Emma Raducanu reunites with US Open winning coach Andrew Richardson
Emma Raducanu has reunited with coach Andrew Richardson, nearly five years after the pair famously won the US Open title together in New York.
The 23-year-old had been without a permanent mentor since splitting with Spaniard Francisco Roig in January.
She recently spent a week training alongside Richardson at the Ferrer Tennis Academy in Spain before confirming the long-term appointment.
No regrets over initial departure
The British star parted ways with her childhood mentor immediately after her historic Grand Slam triumph to seek a coach with top-level WTA experience.
This decision led to a succession of short-term appointments, beginning with Torben Beltz, which drew frequent criticism from tennis pundits.
However, the former British number one insists she does not view their initial separation as a mistake.
“I think at that time it was very difficult to say I made a mistake, because in my life everything changed upside down,” she said.
“I didn’t really think I had the most handle over the situation in the sense that I was being pulled left and right.”
The major champion admitted that the rapid changes in her career taught her the immense value of having trusted and familiar figures in her inner circle.
A familiar face in the coaching box
Returning to familiar roots has become a recurring theme for the world-renowned athlete.
She has recently spent time working alongside other former childhood coaches, including Nick Cavaday, Mark Petchey and Jane O’Donoghue.
“I think the fact also that he’s known me since I was very young, and I know that he’s always just wanted the best for me,” she added.
“When you have known someone also before I had any success, it does make a little bit of a difference, too.”
The former world number 10 praised Richardson for his consistent and solid demeanour, noting that he is rarely unsettled by poor results.
Initiating the reunion
The decision to rehire the former British Davis Cup player was initiated entirely by the player herself.
She reached out via a casual text message to reopen the lines of communication.
“We stayed in touch, but it was just a text, and I was, like, ‘Heyyy’,” she revealed.
“When you get a text from me with heyyy with three ys, just know something is cooking.”
While acutely aware of the external judgement regarding her past choices, the highly-rated star is now entirely focused on moving forward with a trusted confidant by her side.
