Emma Raducanu has reconnected with Andrew Richardson, the coach who guided her to a stunning US Open victory as an 18-year-old qualifier in 2021. The 23-year-old British star recently trained with Richardson at the Ferrer Academy near Benidorm, Spain, as she prepares to return to competition at the Italian Open in Rome next week.
Raducanu's advisers confirmed that the training stint was arranged to give her valuable practice on European clay before upcoming tournaments. Her long-standing relationship with Richardson—who also coached her during her junior years—made the Ferrer Academy an ideal choice. The academy is run by former world number three David Ferrer.
Currently, there are no plans for Richardson to join Raducanu for the clay-court season or beyond. The Briton is scheduled to practice at the Foro Italico in Rome on Saturday, hoping to be match-fit for the Italian Open. She has not played since Indian Wells in early March, withdrawing from events in Miami, Linz, and Madrid due to a viral illness and the need for full recovery.
Since parting ways with coach Francisco Roig after the Australian Open, Raducanu has relied on Alexis Canter for regular support. She remains open to hiring a full-time coach but has expressed concerns about the intense scrutiny surrounding her choices.
Raducanu will practice with Germany's Eva Lys in Rome on Saturday. As a seed, she would receive a first-round bye, meaning her opening match would not be until Thursday. The French Open begins on May 24.