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

John McEnroe has backed Emma Raducanu’s choice to rehire Andrew Richardson after branding their unique cut up “nonsensical”.

Richardson was the coach in Raducanu’s nook when she stunningly turned the primary qualifier to win a grand slam title on the US Open in 2021.

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However the British No 1 opted to dispense along with his providers instantly afterwards, feeling she wanted somebody with WTA Tour expertise.

A succession of short-term appointments have adopted however Raducanu has now determined to return to Richardson, who she additionally labored with as a junior, with the pair linking up forward of this week’s event in Strasbourg.

Former world No 1 McEnroe, who will function on TNT Sports activities’ protection of the French Open, stated: “I used to be amazed that she removed the coach within the first place.

“I’m like: ‘Why the hell would you eliminate your coach a few weeks or a month after you gained the US Open?’ I by no means understood that.

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“I used to be shocked as a result of athletes are very superstitious, you don’t change the successful formulation. You got here from nowhere and also you gained this US Open the way in which she did, it might seem to be it might be nonsensical to me to do what she did.”

Raducanu’s makes an attempt to rekindle these heady days in New York have been hindered by a succession of bodily issues, the most recent of which was a post-viral sickness that stored her away from the match court docket for two-and-a-half months.

Defeat by France’s Diane Parry in her opening contest in Strasbourg means she’s going to go into the French Open, which begins on Sunday, with just one clay-court match beneath her belt. She can even be unseeded in Thursday’s draw after slipping to thirty seventh within the rankings.

McEnroe can be shocked to see her make a lot of an impression in Paris however believes the reunion with Richardson may bear fruit at Wimbledon.

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“To me, grass would clearly be her extra snug alternative towards the highest gamers,” stated the American. “I don’t see her as almost as snug on clay. I feel that’s her least-comfortable floor.

“Is it too little, too late? She’s nonetheless younger. I don’t know bodily the place she’s at, mentally – there’s numerous points that I’m not acquainted sufficient with.

“However I would definitely suppose that the hope can be to have her, regardless that there’s much more stress on her in Wimbledon, that she would have a significantly better likelihood of doing one thing huge there.”