Emma Raducanu: British No 1 determined to get back to aggressive, first-strike style on grass under coach Andrew Richardson
Emma Raducanu stands by decision to return on clay rather than wait for grass as he prepares for events at Queen's, Berlin and Eastbourne before Wimbledon; Watch the ATP and WTA Tours live on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app
Tuesday 26 May 2026 07:11, UK
Emma Raducanu remains determined to get back to an aggressive, first-strike style on grass under returning coach Andrew Richardson.
The British No 1 will head into the grass-court season looking to return to her best form following another difficult loss which gave a glimpse into how heavily the last few years have weighed on her.
The 23-year-old had been downbeat but philosophical about a 6-0 7-6 (7-4) defeat against Solana Sierra in the first round of the French Open when she was asked about the trajectory her career has taken since the stars aligned in New York five years ago.
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Resilience was the word Raducanu settled on as she fought to control her emotions, and she will need to show more of that as she battles to find form again on the grass.
It has once again been a stop-start season for the former US Open champion, who began the year battling a foot injury and then picked up a virus in early February that turned into a post-viral illness.
She spent two and a half months away from the tour and the rust was clear as she struggled against Argentinian Sierra.
Raducanu stands by her decision
Raducanu had wanted to test herself on clay rather than move straight to preparing for grass, and it was a decision she stood by despite the outcome.
"I've been practising well but it's been five, six weeks after two months off," she said. "It was going to be a big ask coming in. I really wanted to play the French [Open] so that was my decision.
"I stand by it because I got to experience a grand slam. I never want to miss it. I competed as well as I could in the second set with what I had."
That Raducanu is still battling a lingering cough nearly four months after first becoming unwell is clearly a concern, and she would certainly have wanted to head into her most high-profile stretch of the season with confidence levels higher.
She also has ranking points to defend having reached the quarter-finals of the HSBC Championships at Queen's Club last year and the third round of Wimbledon, where she pushed world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
Queen's, Berlin and Eastbourne next
The optimism surrounding her trajectory then has dissipated significantly in the intervening months and a seeding at the All England Club looks hugely unlikely, meaning Raducanu will be at the mercy of the draw.
The good news is that grass suits her game much more than clay, with Raducanu's ability to take the ball early, particularly on return, earning greater rewards from the faster, lower-bouncing surface and compensating for her lack of power.
Her split from coach Francisco Roig following the Australian Open came after she made it very clear she did not agree with the direction in which he was trying to take her game.
Raducanu wants to get back back to the aggressive, first-strike style that brought her so much success at the start of her career, and she appears to have the perfect person in her corner again having rehired her US Open-winning coach Andrew Richardson.
Her next tournament is set to be at Queen's beginning on June 8, while she has also entered events in Berlin and Eastbourne the following two weeks but may well not play both.
"I'm looking forward to getting back on home soil, for sure," said Raducanu. "Queen's is always an amazing tournament, so I'm looking forward to starting there. Afterwards, I don't know, it depends how it goes."
Henman: If results don't come straight away, she's got to be patient
Tim Henman believes everyone needs to be "patient" with Raducanu with the Brit having played very little tennis, but he believes Richardson is the right man to guide the 23-year-old.
The former British No 1 said: "With the coaching scenario, I'm pleased that she's got Andrew back and I hope that it persists.
"I hope that it lasts a lot longer than a lot of the other coaches have - and the proof will be in the pudding.
"She needs some consistent training, match-play, some continuity.
"When it's stop-start, whether that's from injury or illness, when you're chopping and changing coaches, it's difficult to build that consistency and continuity.
"He's known Emma for a long, long time… since she was very young. He's very understated, he's very calm, he's got a good knowledge of the game."
Henman continued: "He has been working at an academy in Spain and he is someone that Emma trusts. Those are good foundations.
"I hope Emma is patient with herself and we've got to be patient. Coming on to grass, it's a surface she's much more comfortable on.
"Then we're aware that the spotlight is going to be pretty intense. If the results don't come straight away, she's got to be patient."
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