British tennis legend urges Emma Raducanu not to ditch NINTH coach in five years

TIM HENMAN is begging Emma Raducanu to stick with coach Andrew Richardson for a bit longer this time. And British tennis legend Henman insists that it is not just because he was best man at Richardson’s wedding. Injury-hit Raducanu, 23, appears in her third French Open on Sunday, facing Argentine Solana Sierra in round one. Former pro Richardson has a 100 per cent strike rate when it comes to the Slams — because he was by Raducanu’s side as she lifted the US Open in 2021. And he is back in her team at Roland Garros as she decided to hook up with him again, beginning the ­conversation with a cheeky text. If you include Mark Petchey’s brief interim period with Raducanu last year, he is her NINTH coach in five years. But Henman, 51, believes everyone needs to be “patient” with Raducanu — who has played just 15 matches this year and just one in the last two months — as she eases her way back into action following a two-month lay-off due to illness. The former British men’s No 1 told SunSport on behalf of TNT Sports: “You just want her to be fit and healthy. That’s been a struggle when you’ve had a virus like this. It has obviously plagued her for quite some time. “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. BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK “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. “Andrew was best man at my wedding. I’ve known him since I was 11. I hope for both their sakes it works. “Andrew was a good player and made the third round at Wimbledon. 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. “He has been working at an academy in Spain and he is someone that Emma trusts. Those are good foundations. “I hope that Emma is patient with herself and we’ve got to be patient. My expectations for clay, Roland Garros, are pretty low and then 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.” Raducanu won her opener on her two previous visits to the French Open, last year and in 2022. And this is her first meeting with South American world No 64 Sierra, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon last year. No 13 seed Jasmine Paolini, who reached the final here in Paris and at Wimbledon in 2024, might be lurking in round two if the Italian knocks out Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska. Asked what she makes of her draw, Raducanu joked: “They don’t like clay courts in Argentina, do they? “No, she’s a great player. Had a good run last year at Wimbledon, too. It’s going to be a really tricky first round, especially coming in light on matches. “But I’m just proud of how I’m approaching every day, proud of the work I’m putting in. “I know I’m going to have to play really good tennis and be aggressive. I feel like the conditions are pretty lively so far in the practice days, as the weather is hot. “I just want to go out there and try and play on my terms as much as I can.” l You can watch every match at Roland Garros live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.