'Why Change Winning Formula': Raducanu's Coach Split Puzzles McEnroe

Tuesday, 06 June 2023 at 22:00

byAlex Waite

Emma Raducanu's decision to part ways with her sixth coach in two years has been questioned by John McEnroe.

Raducanu surprisingly parted ways with her former coach Sebastian Sachs on June 1 and the former US Open champion stated that it was "unfeasible" to move forward with the German guiding her. The British player is also currently recovering from three separate surgeries and is set to miss out at Wimbledon this season.

The 20-year-old's decision to move on from yet another coach less than two years after her stunning triumph at Flushing Meadows comes during a turbulent period. However, McEnroe, when speaking to Eurosport, said Raducanu needed the consistency of a regular coach and also questioned why the British player split with her first coach, Andrew Richardson.

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"I'm not very surprised about that, I think it's been clear throughout that she's been searching for stability and for comfort. That she can feel she is on the right track. The only part I didn't understand was in the beginning."

- McEnroe told Eurosport

"Why she would part ways with her coach, I think it was Andrew Richardson. But why would you change a winning formula when you did something so unexpected? I don't know the answer to that. "I'm sure there were reasons but out of superstition alone you wouldn't change something, so I was surprised."

Despite Raducanu's recent setbacks and falling out of the Top 100 on the WTA Tour as a result of her dip in form, McEnroe believes she still has what it takes to get back to the top.

"[Andy] Murray has won three Grand Slams and had an incredible career. Emma doesn't want to be a one-hit-wonder. She is young enough to be able to come back obviously and you want her to be able to. You're pulling for her. You can feel the stress she has been under."

"It would be a shame if she wasn't around. I hope she comes back and it will be a road back. It's not going to be easy. Not until the end of the year at least I guess. It would be nice to have her in the mix."