US Open champion Emma Raducanu and her coach have parted ways, with the 18-year-old saying Friday she wants to work with someone more experienced as her profile grows on the WTA Tour.
Raducanu, from Great Britain, won the US Open on Sept. 11 as a qualifier, defeating Canadian Leylah Fernandez in the final.
To prepare for the tournament, she worked with Andrew Richardson, who coached her for two years on the youth circuit and rejoined her team in July on a short-team basis. She previously split with coach Nigel Sears, who is the father-in-law of Andy Murray.
“I’m looking for someone who has been at that level and knows what it takes,” Raducanu said.
“And especially right now because I’m so new to it, I really need someone to guide me who’s already been through that.”
She told reporters that parting with Richardson was hard. Richardson played on Britain’s Davis Cup team but isn’t part of the inner circle of the WTA Tour.
“It’s tough to have that conversation with anyone, but I think for me like that’s just really what I need,” she told reporters.
Raducanu rose to No. 22 in the world after her career-first win in New York. She said she won’t rush a decision about her coach.
Friday was a big day for Raducanu. She also played doubles with Kate Middleton, the duchess of Cambridge, at the National Tennis Centre in London.
“Her forehand is incredible,” Raducanu said of her partner.
