Tim Henman is pinning his hopes on a revamped partnership between Emma Raducanu and coach Andrew Richardson to get Britain's tennis starlet back on track. The former world number four and semi-finalist in six Grand Slams, who has known Richardson since their coaching days, can't help but feel a sense of déjà vu – this is, after all, a reunion that echoes the one he had with his own coach.
It's hard to forget the way Richardson guided Raducanu to her history-making US Open title in 2021 as an 18-year-old qualifier. The partnership was nothing short of magic, but it came to an abrupt end soon after when Raducanu sensationally parted ways with him, seeking a more experienced coach. Henman admits he was stumped by the initial decision: “I was surprised she chose not to work with him,” he confessed.
Now, as Raducanu's fortunes have ebbed and flowed since that fairy-tale triumph – injuries and inconsistent form had left her struggling – Richardson is back in the hot seat. And it's already yielded encouraging signs: a final appearance at Queen's Club last Sunday, though ultimately in defeat to Donna Vekic. This represents a marked improvement from Raducanu's turbulent period.
Henman, who was courtside for many of those nail-biting moments during her US Open run and became a vocal supporter, knows what it takes to navigate the pressures that come with being a tennis prodigy. He draws on his own experiences, having worked with just three coaches over 16 years – prioritising stability, consistency, and building genuine relationships. Contrast this with Raducanu's dizzying pace of change: she has had eight or nine coaches in less than half the time.
The magnitude of her US Open victory still resonates today, a true tennis Cinderella story that caught everyone off guard. “It was so unexpected because no one had ever qualified and made the final of a slam, let alone qualified and won it,” Henman marvels. He suggests this rapid ascent presented unique challenges for Raducanu – competing at the highest level without the traditional foundation and gradual build-up many players enjoy.
As he looks to the future, Henman is rooting for Richardson's return to help stabilise Raducanu's game and provide a more consistent platform from which she can refine her skills. With his close friend back in the fold, Raducanu can focus on climbing back up the rankings and delivering more consistent results on the WTA Tour.