Andy Murray Coach Saga

Written by: Staff on 2nd April 2014

Andy Murray Coach Saga

epa04132172 (FILE) A file picture dated 26 January 2013 shows British tennis player Andy Murray (R) and his coach Ivan Lendl (L) during a training session in the Rod Laver Arena at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia. Murray and Lendl agreed to end their two-year coaching relationship, Wimbledon champion Murray announced on 19 March 2014. EPA/DENNIS SABANGAN |

While still somewhat shell-shocked by his split last week with coach Ivan Lendl, Andy Murray won’t be rushed into picking up another mentor, with the Scot saying he will soon have a month to ponder the pros and cons and make a rational decision.

Eight-time grand slam event winner Lendl was actually present in his former client’s player box as Murray advanced into the second week of the Miami event, but it was more of a solidarity gesture than anything else.

Murray vows he will not rush to judgement as he plots strategy. With his decision to skip the European start at Monte Carlo in a fortnight, he will have around four weeks clear to ponder and take advice.

It won’t be the first time that Murray has been without a mentor after parting company with his original Spanish coach as well as former player and now TV commentator, Mark Petchey and high-priced nonstop California motor-mouth Brad Gilbert. He was also coached briefly by fellow Scot Miles Maclagen and employed Spaniard Alex Corretja as a clay advisor back in the day.

“It’s about finding the right person, I don’t want to panic and get someone next week. Ideally I’d have someone in place before the French Open. That would be ideal, I think. Obviously I have a few big months there.”

Murray will step onto clay at the last possible minute at Madrid in early May, a strategy which backfired horribly in 2013 for Roger Federer. But one-time Paris semi-finalist Murray remains committed to following his own timetable and will not be rushed to judgement.

`”I have that period where I would hope to try to get something in place around then. I’ve been through longer periods without without a head coach and been fine, so hopefully this time it works out,”said the world No. 6 who is keeping his support team in place.”

The Lendl appearance at the Murray Miami match appears to have come as something of a surprise. “I haven’t spoken to Ivan, but I would imagine I would stay in touch with him. I stayed in touch with pretty much every coach I have worked with. I’ve have great relationships with all of them.

Via Bob Larson

Topics: Andy Murray, Ivan Lendl, Tennis News