"It's horses for courses. It's unusual" - Tim Henman on Emma Raducanu's coaching changes

Former British No. 1 Tim Henman has shared his thoughts on Emma Raducanu's coaching changes and her anticipated comeback in 2024.

Raducanu became a sensation in the sport almost overnight when she won the 2021 US Open as an unseeded qualifier, becoming the first player to achieve this at a Grand Slam in the Open Era. However, since then the Brit has struggled to maintain her success as injuries and a string of coaching changes got in the way.

Henman opened up on his compatriot's move between five different coaches over the last two years and shared his hopes for her comeback to the WTA Tour next year.

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Henman hopeful for Raducanu's return

Ahead of this year's US Open, the 49-year-old addressed Raducanu's frequent coaching changes, calling it "horses for courses."

"It's horses for courses. It's unusual. But you could say that it's worked for her. For me, I was on the tour for 15 years and I worked with three coaches so I liked that consistency and continuity. Having said that, it'll be interesting to see what she does because she will need a tennis coach when she resumes.

"In tennis it's not so unusual to change [coaches]. Sometimes you share coaches and there are different ways of doing it.

"I'm not sure where Emma's at right now in terms of her rehab, how much time she's able to spend on court. The tennis side of things is one of the important elements but probably you could argue right now that the rehab and the physical conditioning is probably the most important element. So fingers crossed she can get all three right and be back out there soon," he said.

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Henman also reminisced on Raducanu's "special" run at Flushing Meadows in 2021 and explained the close friendship he had with her coach at the time Andrew Richardson.

"It was fantastic. I enjoyed it so much. I think when you look at that run for Raducanu in the context of professional tennis, no man or woman has ever qualified and made the final of a Grand Slam and she qualified and won the whole thing, winning 20 consecutive sets, it was incredible.

"She was obviously working with Andrew Richardson at the time who was best man at my wedding so he was someone that I'd known a long, long time. We used to play against each other in the juniors and getting to know Emma then, it was a fortnight that I look back so fondly on, lucky enough to be working in television there and was courtside for most of her matches. It was special.

"She'll be sorely missed this year but hopefully she can be back fit and healthy and competing in the biggest events in the not too distant future," he continued.

Mr Myles

@mrgmyles

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