John McEnroe questions stunning decision Emma Raducanu made after US Open win

• Tennis News
• ATP Tennis

John McEnroe says he is still baffled by Emma Raducanu's decision to fire the coach who guided her to a first Grand Slam victory. At the 2021 US Open, an 18-year-old Raducanu made tennis history when she as a qualifier became a Grand Slam champion.

But shortly after her US Open win, Raducanu decided to part ways with coach Andrew Richardson. Over the last two years, Raducanu has had five different coaches. Most recently, Raducanu split with coach Sebastian Sachs - who was hired by the Briton before the start of the 2023 season - but both indicated that it was a mutual decision.

Raducanu recently underwent three surgeries - she may not play again in 2023 - and McEnroe does not blame coach Sachs for making a business decision.

McEnroe on Raducanu's coaching situation

"Whenever you have two or three surgeries you have to be concerned.

I think she was doing the coach [Sachs] a favour from what it sounds like. If she's not going to play for eight months the guy has to make a living. I'm not very surprised about that, I think it's been clear throughout that she's been searching for stability and for comfort.

That she can feel she is on the right track. The only part I didn't understand was in the beginning. Why she would part ways with her coach, I think it was Andrew Richardson. But why would you change a winning formula when you did something so unexpected? I don't know the answer to that.

I'm sure there were reasons but out of superstition alone you wouldn't change something, so I was surprised," McEnroe told Eurosport. Meanwhile, Raducanu is currently rehabbing and recovering from two wrists and left ankle surgeries.

In early May, Raducanu announced she would be out at least through Wimbledon. However, some fear Raducanu may not be seen on the court again until 2024.