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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Liam Llewellyn

John McEnroe questions Emma Raducanu again after her Australian Open loss

John McEnroe has taken another swipe at Emma Raducanu following her exit from the Australian Open last week.

In her debut campaign at Melbourne Park, the Brit was defeated 4-6, 6-4, 3-6 by Montenegro’s Danka Kovinić in the second round.

She turned in a brave and spirited performance despite suffering with blisters on her right hand throughout the match.

McEnroe, who appeared to question Raducanu's mentality after she retired from her fourth-round match at Wimbledon last summer, has new questioned her coaching choices.

Andrew Richardson, Raducanu's youth coach, mentored her throughout her run to the US Open title but did not continue in the job, as Raducanu plumped for an option with more tour-level experience in Angelique Kerber's former coach Torben Beltz.

Emma Raducanu was knocked out of the Australian Open in the second round last week (AFP via Getty Images)

“Expectations have now been ramped up in an unbelievable way," McEnroe said. “It's going to take some time to see how she handles it, I'm sure at times it's overwhelming.

“It was overwhelming for her at Wimbledon and then she had this magical run (at the US Open). I don't know why she then decided to change coaches... you would think if a coach took her to the US Open Championship that you wouldn't say that I need a new coach.”

Despite this point of view, the American is keen to see the world number 18 enjoy a sustained period of success in the game.

“It would be unbelievable if she’s around for the next 10 years doing well, that would be outstanding,'' he added.

“She seems like a sweet girl, she's got game, charisma, she's got everything! I'm pulling for her, it's not going to be easy, I'm sure she's trying to figure it all out right now.”

Richardson coached the Bromley local to US Open glory without dropping a set last September.

However, Richardson was only ever in the position as a temporary coach after Raducanu parted ways with Nigel Sears following her Wimbledon exploits.

John McEnroe questioned the teen's decision to replace her coach Andrew Richardson after they won the US Open together (Getty Images)

“Torben brings some great positive energy," Raducanu said last week of working with new coach Beltz.. "So to have that in your corner is definitely an uplifting thing.

"There was definitely a moment last week when things clicked back into place. I think that the biggest thing for me is after the match in Sydney.

"I didn't waste any time at all. I was constructive and straight back on the practice court working, which was pretty unusual, to go out there straight after a loss like that.

"So I was feeling good, and that's definitely a moment where I was like: ‘Okay, you know where you're at, like, let's just keep working and see what happens next week. He was happy, you know, he wasn't dwelling on it at all. So I think that was great for me to feed off.”

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