Which new coach for Andy Murray ?

May 11, 2016, 10:50:25 AM

Which new coach for Andy Murray ?
After two years of an interrupted but mainly prolific collaboration, Andy Murray and Amélie Mauresmo have decided to part ways. Which leaves the Scot without a coach for the weeks to come. So, ladies, who wants to take the spot ?

After two years of an interrupted but mainly prolific collaboration, Andy Murray and Amélie Mauresmo have decided to part ways. Which leaves the Scot without a coach for the weeks to come. So, ladies, who wants to take the spot ?

 

Judy Murray

 

If there could only remain one, it would be her. Judy Murray, in her radiant fifties, with her bleached hair, has spent her lifetime following her son along his tennis achievements. And has a few personal skills to endorse the mission perfectly. If she already had the required experience for the job - she currently coaches the Great Britain BNP Paribas Fed Cup team - Judy has always done her maximum to put Andy’s aptitudes forward. Meals, laundry, special sweets bought at Marks&Spencer, an everlasting support from the stands, everything is made for Andy to only think about the small yellow ball. The only thing which remains is that the « punishing mom », her nickname given by the British press, is sometimes described as being a little intrusive. A coach label would at least legitimate these constant intrusions.

 

Maria Sharapova

 

Andy’s a good guy, but his two Grand Slam trophies are practically nothing if you take a look as his rivals’ trophy cupboards. Which also reveals a constant lack of psychological streghth in the decisive moments. Consequently, Maria Sharapova appears to be the perfect backup. Easily angered, and capable of dealing with the emotional Andy, detestable, which could be helpful to calm the Scotsman’s arrogance, the pretty Russian could give Andy the little extra he’s never had. In any case, Maria hasn’t got much to do lately, and would probably enjoy hitting a few ball during training, while waiting for her return on the courts. However, we advise Andy not to eat in the same plate.

 

Mary Pierce

 

Since her retirement in 2006, Mary Pierce had mainly remained in the shadows. And for a good reason. The Roland-Garros 2005 finalist decided to move to Mauritius, choosing the charms of the coconut trees over the urban Europe. Without however completely abandonning tennis. In charge of her Hardy siblings (Emmanuelle and Amaury), Pierce started learning the coaching job on the field. But it’s another reason which could push her to help the desperate-case which represents Murray : charity. In 2014, she said : « Since I found the Lord in 2000, my life has completely changed and only for food. I’ve found inner peace and joy which never leave me. It’s something I had always been searching for. Now, my whole life is dedicated to the Lord. Everything I do is for him, whether it is a training session or helping a charity in Africa. » Intense sessions to come for Andy.

 

Katie Leung

 

Born in Motherwell, Scotland, Katie Leung doesn’t only have the advantage of her accent to apply for the coaching role. Known for her interpretation of Cho Chang in the Harry Potter saga, Katie could put her experience as a magic student to improve some of Andy’s weaknesses. A lack of aggressiveness ? After a few Quidditch matches against Ravenclaw’s seeker, that shouldn’t be a problem anymore. A small wave of a magic wand, and Andy will find the lucidity of all great champions. Of course, the journey will be long. But the magic recipe doesn’t exist.

 

Susan Boyle 

 

What would Susan Boyle do in the world of tennis ? At first sight, nothing much. But the word famous winner of Britain’s Got Talent has a gift to give : her voice. And it’s with a flock of revolutionary training methods that she will give the young man’s career a huge impulse. Attached to Andy for all of his runs, she enables the Scot to gain 9 miles/hour in his running speed as well as an incredible balance. But she also helps his technique. At every ball shot too short, or out of the limits of the court, Susan hits him with her own interpretation of Will Always Love You, of Whitney Houston, which is recorded at 143 decibels. In the end, the Scot will have to learn how to express himself using sign language. The sacrifice of champions.

 

By Raphaël Gaftarnik