Emma Raducanu has once again linked up with Andrew Richardson, the coach who guided her to the US Open triumph in 2021, as she gears up for the start of the clay‑court swing at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome. The British No.1 had faced considerable scrutiny after she chose to end her partnership with Richardson following her remarkable New York victory, a decision that sparked a wave of commentary across the tennis world.
According to sources close to the player, Raducanu spent part of last week training in Spain alongside Richardson at the Ferrer Tennis Academy near Alicante, where the coach is based. While the two appear to be rebuilding a working relationship, there are currently no concrete plans for a long‑term collaboration throughout the clay season or beyond. The reunion seems to be primarily a short‑term effort to get the 23‑year‑old back into rhythm after a prolonged period away from competition.
Raducanu's most recent match took place at Indian Wells, where she was soundly beaten by Amanda Anisimova in a 52‑minute encounter, managing to win only two games. Following that loss, she withdrew from the WTA events in Miami and Linz, opting instead to focus on rehabilitation after battling post‑viral symptoms that stemmed from an illness contracted in Romania in early February.
The health setback forced her to miss the Billie Jean King Cup qualifier for Great Britain against Australia and also led her to sit out the Madrid Open, as she continues to work toward full fitness. The split from her most recent coach, Francisco Roig, came after a second‑round defeat at the Australian Open. Since that separation, Raducanu has been training on an informal basis with former British player Mark Petchey, while also relying heavily on hitting partner Alexis Canter, a 27‑year‑old who reached a career‑high ranking of 779 last season. Canter has remained a fixture in her daily routine, providing consistency during a time of frequent coaching changes.
Now, with Richardson back in the picture, the British star is hoping to harness the familiarity and confidence that the coach brought during her historic US Open run, where she became the first qualifier ever to claim a Grand Slam title. Richardson, who also worked with Raducanu during her junior years, had expressed interest in extending their partnership after the 2021 victory, but Raducanu ultimately chose to bring in Torben Beltz, a more seasoned tour coach, for a brief period. That decision marked the beginning of a series of short‑lived coaching appointments that have characterized much of her professional journey.
The exact nature of the upcoming Italian Open participation remains uncertain. Although Raducanu has returned to training and was seen practicing at the Foro Italico on Saturday alongside coach Jane O'Donoghue, it is not yet clear whether she will enter the main draw in Rome, which kicks off on Tuesday, May 5.
Her return to the court, however, is viewed as a positive sign for British tennis, especially as fellow compatriot Jack Draper faces a season‑ending knee injury that will keep him off the clay circuit. Analysts have offered varied opinions on Raducanu's coaching needs. Former Wimbledon semi‑finalist and Sky Sports analyst Tim Henman suggested in February that the player might benefit more from focusing on her physical development rather than seeking a new full‑time coach.
He highlighted the importance of building strength, resilience, and power to compete with the likes of Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff, whose physicality sets a high benchmark on the tour. Henman noted, "Emma has talked about her identity and her style of play. She wants to own it. She's been on tour long enough to consider whether a coach is essential at this stage.
Consistency and continuity are valuable, but we also see that many of her coaches have had brief tenures." Petchey's influence earlier in the season was notable, as he helped Raducanu reach the quarter‑finals at Queen's and push Sabalenka to a tight third‑round match at Wimbledon. Over the years, Raducanu has worked with a roster of high‑profile coaches, including Nigel Sears, who oversaw her breakthrough to the Wimbledon fourth round in 2021; Torben Beltz, who left after five months; Dmitry Tursunov, who departed following concerns about the camp environment; Sebastian Sachs, whose partnership ended amid multiple surgeries; and Nick Cavaday, who guided her back into the top‑60 before stepping down in early 2025 for health reasons. Most recently, she briefly teamed up with Rafael Nadal’s former mentor Francisco Roig before parting ways after her Australian Open exit in January 2026.
Commentators such as Sky Sports lead tennis commentator Jonathan Overend have emphasized that Raducanu’s ongoing quest for the right balance in her support team is a key factor in her future success. Overend remarked, "She has spent a lot of her young career re‑evaluating her setup. That explains the frequent coaching changes and the criticism she receives.
The challenge is finding the right equilibrium, not just in terms of Grand Slam results but also in the process of self‑assessment." As Raducanu continues to rebuild her fitness and confidence, the reunion with Richardson could provide a familiar strategic framework while she navigates the demanding transition to clay. Whether this partnership evolves into a longer‑term arrangement or remains a short‑term boost, the British player’s determination to return to form is evident. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely as she steps onto the red‑clay of Rome, hoping to recapture the spark that propelled her to historic glory just five years earlier.