'I was surprised' - John McEnroe reacts to Emma Raducanu decision ahead of French Open in Paris

Eurosport expert John McEnroe, speaking ahead of the French Open, has admitted that he was «surprised» over Emma Raducanu deciding to part ways with her former coach. Raducanu split with German coach Torben Beltz after just five months and has now worked with three coaches in the past year alone. Ad/> Andrew Richardson replaced Nigel Sears after last year's Wimbledon, but despite Raducanu's unexpected success under his stewardship at the US Open, his contract was not renewed.

Roland-Garros'I love the way she's playing' — Henman backing Swiatek for French Open successYESTERDAY AT 13:08 The British star is now competing without a full-time coach, but McEnroe said he did not always believe in having that within his camp as a player either. He does, though, think it was a surprising move ahead of Roland-Garros. «I didn't believe in a full-time coach either so it really depends on the player,» McEnroe said.

«These days, it seems every player has a coach and I don't recall who it was when she won the US Open, but I must admit I was surprised they parted ways after she won that. »It was an incredible shock for her to win that. I'm not sure where she is physically or mentally right now.

«She obviously did something spectacular at the US Open and you would try to, in some ways, replicate what she was feeling at that time to allow her to play freely. »That's a lot harder now because the expectations are a lot higher so she has to find a group that can get her comfortable and allow her to train in a way that she understands is good for her and be able to go on the court and feel some type of joy and happiness playing. «That's the trick.