Trust and a connection - why Raducanu rehired Richardson
Emma Raducanu believes it is "very difficult to say" she made a mistake in parting ways with coach Andrew Richardson after her 2021 US Open triumph. Britain's Raducanu has recently rehired Richardson almost five years after her stunning triumph as she looks to revive a career that has failed to live up to its early promise. Raducanu, who starts her French Open campaign against Argentina's Solana Sierra on Sunday, has been blighted by injuries and illness in recent years.
The 23-year-old has only gone beyond the third round of a major once since her New York win and is now at 37 in the world rankings. Asked if not continuing with 52-year-old Briton Richardson had been a mistake, Raducanu said: "Everything in my life changed upside down. "I didn't really think I had a handle over the situation in the sense that I was being pulled left and right.
I didn't really know what was going on. "A lot of experiences over the last few years have taught me about what I didn't want. It taught me that I really value having people I trust and connect with around me.
Sabalenka cuts media short as French Open players protest Raducanu faces tricky start - who plays who at French Open? Raducanu and Richardson initially linked up in April for a four-day training stint at the Ferrer Tennis Academy in Spain, where Richardson has been the tennis director for several years. She announced they were reuniting on a full-time basis earlier in May and has now confirmed they will work together for the rest of the season.
"We kept on good terms and it was one of those moments when the timing was right," Raducanu, who initiated the move by sending Richardson a text, told BBC Sport. "He doesn't care about the noise and is really good at centring me. " Raducanu's first match back under Richardson's guidance ended in a straight-set defeat by France's Diane Parry in Strasbourg last week.