John McEnroe backs Emma Raducanu decision to reverse ‘nonsensical’ coaching call

John McEnroe has backed Emma Raducanu ’s decision to rehire Andrew Richardson after branding their original split “nonsensical”. Richardson was the coach in Raducanu’s corner when she stunningly became the first qualifier to win a grand slam title at the US Open in 2021. But the British No 1 opted to dispense with his services immediately afterwards, feeling she needed someone with WTA Tour experience.

A succession of short-term appointments have followed but Raducanu has now decided to go back to Richardson, who she also worked with as a junior, with the pair linking up ahead of this week’s tournament in Strasbourg. Former world No 1 McEnroe, who will feature on TNT Sports’ coverage of the French Open , said: “I was amazed that she got rid of the coach in the first place. “I’m like: ‘Why the hell would you get rid of your coach a couple of weeks or a month after you won the US Open?

’ I never understood that. “I was surprised because athletes are very superstitious, you don’t change the winning formula. You came from nowhere and you won this US Open the way she did, it would seem like it would be nonsensical to me to do what she did.

” Emma Raducanu won the 2021 US Open with Andrew Richardson as her coach (PA Media) Raducanu’s attempts to rekindle those heady days in New York have been hindered by a succession of physical problems, the latest of which was a post-viral illness that kept her away from the match court for two-and-a-half months. Defeat by France’s Diane Parry in her opening contest in Strasbourg means she will go into the French Open, which begins on Sunday, with only one clay-court match under her belt. She will also be unseeded in Thursday’s draw after slipping to 37th in the rankings.