Rick Macci, the celebrated American coach who helped shape Serena and Venus Williams, has never been shy with an opinion, and he's got plenty to say about Emma Raducanu's coaching carousel.
Speaking exclusively to Tennis365, Macci called Raducanu's decision to part ways with Andrew Richardson immediately after her sensational 2021 US Open triumph something that "made no sense." Richardson guided the then-18-year-old through an extraordinary 10-match unbeaten run, without dropping a set across qualifying and the main draw, as a 150th-ranked wildcard who stunned the tennis world.
Yet Raducanu moved on from Richardson shortly after lifting the trophy, sparking a coaching saga that has since involved five permanent coaches and numerous others on a trial or short-term basis. Macci suggested the decision may not have been entirely Raducanu's own, pointing to the swirling influences that can surround a suddenly famous teenager. "You got agents involved, and you got parents involved, and they think the grass is greener," he noted.
Macci was careful not to oversimplify the issue of coaching stability, acknowledging that a fresh voice can sometimes be beneficial. He referenced Iga Swiatek's recent work with Rafa Nadal's team on clay as an example of a high-profile change that didn't quite deliver. Still, he maintained there was "no reason" for Raducanu to cycle through so many different coaches. His verdict was characteristically punchy: "her best coach... is the one in the mirror."
Raducanu did eventually rehire Richardson in May, and the partnership showed early promise when she reached the Queen's Club final in June. A stress fracture then forced her out of Wimbledon, leaving plenty of questions about what comes next.
TennisDraw users will be watching Raducanu's draw picks closely when she returns to the court later this season.
