Emma Raducanu astounded Sue Barker as Brit told she should've forked out on huge bonus
Emma Raducanu astounded Sue Barker as Brit told she should've forked out on huge bonus
Emma Raducanu stunned former BBC presenter and tennis legend Sue Barker with her choices after winning the US Open in 2021
Emma Raducanu chose to change her coach after winning the US Open
(Image: Annabel Lee-Ellis, Getty Images )
Tennis legend Sue Barker has revealed her surprise at Emma Raducanu's decisions after triumphing at the 2021 US Open.
The young star's remarkable win without dropping a set was history-making, with Raducanu becoming the first qualifier in the modern era to secure a Grand Slam title. However, not long after her victory at Flushing Meadows, Raducanu cut ties with coach Andrew Richardson after choosing not to extend their partnership.
Earlier in the year, Raducanu had briefly worked with Nigel Sears before appointing Richardson, an agreement that ended soon after they achieved US Open glory together. Barker expressed her disbelief at these moves by Raducanu, suggesting that Richardson should have been rewarded instead of having to look for new opportunities.
In her book, 'Wimbledon: A Personal History', Barker shared her thoughts on Raducanu's coaching changes: "I admit I was as shocked as anyone after Wimbledon when I heard she had left her coach, the very experienced and respected Nigel Sears (Andy Murray's father-in-law), the man who had steered her through her astonishing Grand Slam breakthrough.
"But that isn't close to how astounded I was when she sacked Andrew Richardson, a former player turned coach who had helped Raducanu in her younger years and was brought in to guide her through her American tour culminating in her extraordinary US Open victory.
"How any player who goes through three qualifying rounds and seven main-draw matches without dropping a set to take the title in only their second Grand Slam can then sack their coach is beyond me. What more could he have possibly done?
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"Andrew should have received a huge bonus, not a P45! I wish she had added to her team, and not dismantled it, and remained loyal to a coach who made her dream come true."
Sue Barker hosted tennis coverage on the BBC until 2022
(Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport/CameraSport via Getty Images )
Raducanu has since dealt with several injury problems and recently withdrew from the Berlin Open. However, she has managed some standout moments in the first half of 2025. The 22-year-old made it to the Miami Open quarter-finals, marking her top performance yet at a WTA 1000 tournament.
More recently, Raducanu enjoyed her run to the quarter-finals at Queen's Club during the WTA Tour's celebrated return to the venue for the first time in over four decades. After her showing at Queen's, Raducanu regained the British No. 1 ranking for the first time in two years.
On Monday, it was confirmed that she climbed to World No. 36, outpacing Katie Boulter, who now sits at No.39 after falling five spots. Looking ahead, Raducanu's prospects appear bright as she is set to partner with five-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz in the mixed doubles at the upcoming US Open.
Their pairing is among several star-studded alliances expected to draw attention this August. Fresh from winning the French Open, Alcaraz spoke about his excitement at teaming up with Raducanu.
Emma Raducanu will hope to replicate her US Open success at another Grand Slam
(Image: Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images )
"She's gonna be the boss," Alcaraz said. "Yeah, I mean, the US Open came to us and gave us opportunities to play mixed doubles. I'm super excited about it. I think it's going to be great. It was an amazing idea for the tournament.
"Yeah, I've known Emma since a really long time ago, so we know each other. I have really good relationship with her. So it's just gonna be interesting. You know, obviously both, you know, we are gonna enjoy, for sure. I will try, you know, to put my doubles skill on it. We will try to win. But obviously it's going to be really, really fun."
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However, when Alcaraz reached out to Raducanu to play doubles, he had to patiently wait for an answer. "Yeah. I mean, the [US Open] told us about the tournament, the mixed tournament," he continued. "I was thinking that I couldn't play better if it wasn't with Emma. I just asked Emma if she wants to play doubles with me. Yeah, I made that special request."
He jokingly added, "She took a while," as he laughed. "No, not that much, not that much. But obviously she had to ask, and she had to think a little bit. But it wasn't immediate, so.."
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With Wimbledon beginning tomorrow, only a fool would bet against the prediction that we're heading for yet another Sinner-Alcaraz final. Objectively, this would be positive for the sport, particularly if the Wimbledon final is another classic in the way the French Open final was but in this head-to-head, I'll always be willing the Spaniard on. So while having this duo at the top of the game is a good thing for tennis, what will be really good for tennis, for so many reasons, will be if Alcaraz prevails, and emerges as the top dog.
