Andy Murray has been tipped to coach Emma Raducanu after his retirement from tennis
Tennis icon Andy Murray retired from the sport after the Paris Olympics, but it has been suggested that he could coach British star Emma Raducanu in the future.
Andy Murray has been tipped to become Emma Radacanu’s coach in the future after his legendary playing career ended at the Paris Olympics.
The three-time major winner outlined his retirement plans earlier this summer, with Wimbledon and the Olympics being the final two tournaments of his glittering career. Unfortunately, Murray was denied a singles run at SW19 due to a wrist injury and suffered an early exit in the men’s doubles alongside his brother Jamie. That was his final Wimbledon moment as Raducanu withdrew from their mixed doubles match for fitness reasons.
The Paris Games offered Murray the chance to bow out by adding to his three Olympic medals, though he still held off from singles competition. He partnered Dan Evans, with the duo producing an inspiring comeback win, before suffering a quarter-final exit.
Upon his retirement, Murray insisted that he was eager to spend time with his family, but the Scotsman didn’t rule out a career as a coach. Laura Robson, who earned a mixed doubles silver medal with Murray in 2012, believes the tennis icon would excel as a coach and hinted at a possible future partnership with former US Open winner Raducanu.
“He’s got such an analytical mind. He loves the technique and the tactics and all the minor details you can do in tennis to improve by one per cent. He’d be great at working with anyone.”
Giving some insight on Murray’s coaching ambitions, Robson added: “I know he has been helping some of the junior guys. He invited them to some practice sessions and he had some time in Greece with them before the Olympics. I think in a way he would prefer a junior, because then it’s a fresh challenge.
“He loves the sport so much. He would be a huge advantage in anyone’s player box. I can definitely see him working with Emma Raducanu or Jack Draper. He’s just got so much advice to give.”
Raducanu was forced to defend her decision at Wimbledon after receiving backlash for choosing to walk away from her mixed doubles match with Murray, denying him a final farewell at SW19. The 21-year-old chose to favour her singles run, which ended in the fourth round, and stressed that the decision wasn’t made lightly.
“I didn’t want to take [Murray’s] last match away from him,” Raducanu said. “But at the end of the day I think a lot of the players in a similar situation would have done the same thing, prioritising their body
“I still stand by making the right call. He was obviously disappointed because it’s his last match [at Wimbledon]. But what a champion. I think that hopefully he’ll play in the Olympics and have another farewell there.
“I think with every decision, people are entitled to their opinions. Of course, there was a bit of a cloud it. I don’t think I would have done it any other way. I think in this sport especially, as an individual, you have to make your own calls and prioritise yourself. Especially with my history, I just had to put myself first.”
