French Open 2026: Emma Radukanu confident in re-appointed coach Andrew Richardson

Raducanu and Richardson initially joined in April for a four-day training session at the Tennis Academy in Ferrara, Spain, where Richardson has been the director of tennis for several years.

He announced they were reuniting on a full-time basis earlier in May and has now confirmed they will work together for the rest of the season.

“We were on good terms and it was one of those moments when the time was right,” Raducanu, who initiated the move with a text to Richardson, told BBC Sport.

“He doesn’t care about noise and is really good at keeping me focused.”

Radukanu’s first match under Richardson ended with a straight sets loss to France’s Diane Parry in Strasbourg last week.

He reached Roland Garros having barely played in the past three months due to the lingering effects of a viral illness, but Radukanu resisted the temptation to skip the clay-court majors.

“There was definitely an option to start directly on the grass,” he said.

“Putting the miles on the dirt will help me in next year’s clay-court season, build physical and technical skills and practice competitive matches so I’m not starting from ground zero.

“I’m glad I made this decision to play and regardless of the result I know it’s the right one.”