Murray to Delay Selecting Coach Until Season-End

Written by: Staff on 4th October 2010

Murray to Delay Selecting Coach Until Season-End

Andy Murray (GBR) |

Andy Murray has confirmed he will not appoint a new full-time coach until the end of the season and for the time being will keep Dani Vallverdu, his long-time friend from boyhood days at the Casal-Sanchez Academy in Barcelona, as his main tennis confidante.

The world no.4 is in Beijing for the China Open, his first tournament since a hugely disappointing display at the U.S. Open where he was viewed as one of the favorites but lost out as early as the third round.

Murray has spent much of the last month assessing his options following the decision to split with Miles Maclagan who subsequently has been appointed by Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber. As yet the Scot has yet to come up with an answer although several potential appointments are currently contracted with players until the end of the season.

“I want to make sure I pick the right coach. I don’t want to just go for anyone as it might be a mistake after three or four months,” said Murray who is second seed in Beijing behind reigning champion Novak Djokovic.

For the time being at least, Spaniard Alex Corretja is retained as an occasional coaching consultant. “I’m going to keep working with Alex through to the end of the year and then look to appoint someone before the start of the new year, probably in December, time when I’ve got a bit of time to try some coaches out.”

Murray has had a mixed season with his first grand-slam crown continuing to prove elusive. His best performance came at the start of the year when he reached the final of the Australian Open before going down to Roger Federer. He remains convinced his time will come although he admits it is unlikely to be at Roland Garros.

“I think the French Open will be my least chance but in the other three (majors), I think if I play well, I’ll give myself chances to win,” Murray said. “But it’s very difficult right now because these guys at the top are playing very well.”

Topics: Alex Corretja, Andy Murray, Australian Open, Beijing, Best Performance, Boyhood Days, Confidante, December Time, Four Months, French Open, Grand Slam, Long Time Friend, Majors, New Year, Novak Djokovic, Philipp Kohlschreiber, Roger Federer, Roland Garros, Scot, Time Coach