Emma Raducanu has reunited with the coach who guided her to the 2021 US Open triumph, Andrew Richardson, as she prepares for the clay swing in Rome. After training at the Ferrer Tennis Academy near Alicante, the 23‑year‑old British No.1 will practise at the Foro Italico ahead of the Italian Open on May 5. The partnership ends a year‑long hiatus that drew criticism.

Raducanu’s recent season has been turbulent. She lost a swift 52‑minute match to Amanda Anisimova at Indian Wells, then withdrew from Miami, Linz and the Billie Jean King Cup to recover from post‑viral fatigue contracted in Romania. A short stint with Mark Petchey and hitting partner Alexis Canter kept her on court, but she has yet to compete on clay.

British tennis hopes the reunion will stabilise Raducanu’s game ahead of a field that includes Sabalenka, Swiatek and Gauff. While analysts such as Dan Overend argue she must find a consistent support team, the immediate goal is clear: translate the confidence of her US Open partnership into a solid performance in Rome. Now success would revive her ranking momentum.