Emma Raducanu DUMPS her coach despite guiding her to US Open and £1.8m win in search of someone with more experience

EMMA RADUCANU has sensationally dumped the coach that helped her win the US Open and pocket £1.8million as she eyes a more experienced option.

The British sensation, 18, stormed to a record-breaking Grand Slam win at Flushing Meadows after fighting through qualifying all the way to the title without dropping a set.

Raducanu was coached by Andrew Richardson for the tournament after he took over from Nigel Sears - Andy Murray's father-in-law - who oversaw her incredible run to the fourth round of Wimbledon earlier this year.

Despite her incredible US Open success, new world No22 Raducanu has moved on from 6ft 7in 'gentle giant' Richardson as she looks to take the next step.

It's claimed the Kent teenager - the first British woman to win a Grand Slam since 1977 - is looking for someone with more experience at the top of the world game.

On the tough decision, Raducanu said: “Where I was at after Wimbledon, I was ranked around 200 in the world. I thought at the time Andrew would be a great coach to trial.

“We went to the States but never did I ever dream of winning the US Open and having the run I did.

“Now I ranked 22 in the world. It is pretty crazy to me.

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“I feel at this stage in my career, playing the top players in the world as I did, I realised I really need someone that has had that WTA Tour experience at the high level.

“I am looking for someone who has been at that level and knows what it is takes.

“Especially right now, as I am so new to it, I think I really need someone to guide me who has been through that themselves.

“That is what is happening there. I don’t have anyone in mind. In the meantime, I am with hitting partners in the gaps.

“If I play tournaments I don’t think that is the best time to trial a coach so in the pre-season and when I am done with whatever tournaments, I will trial some coaches out with Tour experience.”

The Kent player added: “Obviously having such an experience with your team, it’s tough to have that conversation with anyone.

“But for me I really need: someone who’s had that professional tour experience, and has been through it and seen players in my situation for many years going through the same.

“The players at the top that I was having to play and the players that are on the Tour are serious competition and serious players.

“So I feel like I just really need someone right now who has been through that and can really guide me along the way because I'm still very, very new to everything.”

Richardson was head coach at Bromley Tennis Centre - Raducanu's club growing up - and helped teach her as a youngster.

A former pro himself, Richardson was ranked as high as world No133 in singles during his playing days and even partnered former British No1 Tim Henman in Davis Cup doubles.

He only became Raducanu's full-time coach in July, after the Brit ace burst onto the scene at SW19.

But the superstar-in-the-making is looking to the future with a more established, experienced coach.

Darren Cahill is an early name rumoured to be linked with the job.

The Aussie has coached the likes of Andre Agassi and Lleyton Hewitt during his illustrious career.

Most-recently, Cahill had coached former world No1 Simona Halep - with the pair splitting just days ago.

On Wednesday, Halep tweeted: "After six wonderful years working together, @darren_cahill and I have decided that it’s time to end our working relationship.

"Thank you D for everything, for making me a better tennis player and a better person."

For Raducanu, the British star knows fans will expect much more from her now following her US success.

The Kent ace became the first ever qualifier to win a Grand Slam, and did so without dropping a single set.

Having only lost at Wimbledon due to a health concern, Raducanu knows she has the ability to maintain her incredible play.

But she will need an elite and experienced team to live up to the hype.

Earlier on Friday, Raducanu was seen hitting the courts with the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, as part of a homecoming party at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton as her stock continues to rise.