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Emma Raducanu announces brutal split days after US Open triumph

Emma Raducanu and Andrew Richardson, pictured here at the US Open.
Emma Raducanu has split with coach Andrew Richardson. Image: Getty

Emma Raducanu is on the hunt for a new coach after announcing her split with the man who helped her win the US Open.

Less than two weeks after becoming the first qualifier in tennis history to win a grand slam, Raducanu has announced she has parted ways with coach Andrew Richardson.

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Richardson coached the teenage star for two years at youth level and linked up with her again in July on a short-term deal for the duration of her time in the United States ahead of and during the US Open.

The 18-year-old announced on Friday that she wants a more experienced coach now that she will be playing in bigger events on the WTA Tour.

"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."

Richardson is a former Davis Cup player for Britain but has little experience of the WTA Tour.

"At the time, I thought Andrew would be a great coach to trial, so we went to the States but never did I even dream of winning the US Open and having the run I did," Raducanu said.

"And now I'm ranked No. 22 in the world, which is pretty crazy to me."

Richardson had replaced Nigel Sears, Andy Murray's father-in-law, who Raducanu dropped after reaching the round of 16 at Wimbledon in July.

Raducanu said it had been tough to axe Richardson after they had shared the euphoria of her US triumph.

"Obviously having such an experience with your team, it's tough to have that conversation with anyone, but I think for me it's just really what I need," she said.

Andrew Richardson, pictured here after Emma Raducanu's US Open triumph.
Andrew Richardson (L) celebrates Emma Raducanu's US Open triumph. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

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Raducanu said she didn't have a coach in mind to replace Richardson and does not expect to make any decision until the end of the season.

One of the names that will be bandied around as a possible coach for Raducanu is that of the experienced Australian Darren Cahill, who is now a free agent after his split from Simona Halep.

Raducanu is back in training after taking some time off following the US Open and is weighing up when to return to the tour, with the prestigious Indian Wells - one of the biggest events on tour - starting on October 6.

"I'll decide in the next few days where I'm going to go to but, wherever I play next, I'm going to make sure I'm ready," she said.

"I don't want to jump into things too early."

Raducanu's New York success means she is ranked 22 in the world and could still qualify for the end-of-season WTA Finals.

"I would never even have dreamed of before because it was just so far out of reach," she said.

"My priority is putting in the best possible pre-season that I can so I can start strong next year."

Raducanu was feted in New York following her triumph, attending the glitzy Met Gala and becoming an ambassador for New York-based luxury jewellery brand Tiffany.

"All the opportunities I'm getting have been very fun, but where I really want to be is on a tennis court," she said.

with agencies

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