Murray and Bootie to split after US OPEN

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Murray and Bootie to split after US OPEN

Salmon · Tennis legend

This is weird and it hurts me a lot for some reason. I always thought that they would play together for the next ten years or so and would win loads of titles.

But why did they split? Surely they know that tennis players have their barren patches? They've beaten nearly all the top teams and have bagged a few titles even though this is their first year. I don't see how they are disappointed with this.

-- Edited by Arka at 17:56, 2007-08-01

angry1 · Lower Club Player

Looking at their website since Wimbledon, this did seem to be coming a bit. Having said that I agree with you Arka, it's really sad to see. I hope neither struggles to find a new teammate.

wolf · Tennis legend

Booty on B&S.com

8/2 - Thanks for the outpouring of notes. I have so many people to thank, especially over in the UK for supporting me and adopting me as a Brit!, you guys were truly great to me....and since I feel so welcome, I've already decided to keep it rolling and play Beijing with Ross Hutchins the week after the Open. Booty and Hutch? Hmm....maybe that has a little ring to it! Thanks again.

DUSTY DICK · Club Coach

Shocked to hear about Booty and Stretch.
They were making quite a good team.
Rather like the idea mentioned that
Henman would make a good partner
but i guess we will just have to wait and see.

Infoman · Newbie

I've just spoken to Booty...he told me that it's over with him and Jamie....he said that they've done well but haven't gotten on well off court. He said that they have very different views on work ethics, how to treat people etc and in the end it became too much. He said that although they appeared to get on well on-court, things aren't always as they seem and their on court chemistry was starting to be affected.

Booty's seriously thinking about partnering Ross Hutchins for a while, he's had lots of phone calls in the past 24 hrs. He's not ready to go for anything yet though. He says that he thinks Ross has a great game and a lot of potential

Count Zero · Tennis legend

great bit of indfo that, thanks.

oviusly without knowing the full storey any comments are only opinion/speculation but i wonder about the size of JM's ego? i dont really know he always comes acroos very nice tho.

lets hope they both do well apart, is probably for the best then.

christian · Intermediate Club Player

So it does seem like a personality clash then which is a shame. I suppose the comments from Jamie's manager were quite clear really and he does appear to have the Murray trait of being very single minded. Strange really as he always seems really relaxed and down to earth on court and in interviews.

Hopefully the split will be the best for the both of them and Booty clearly enjoys playing with the Brits so fingers crossed him and Hutch can make some progress.

-- Edited by christian at 22:45, 2007-08-01

goldenboy · Club Coach

shame to see them split up but i guess they've come from different backgrounds and both seem to think is for the best!
sounds like i'm talking about a relationship!!!

think jamie's gonna pick up a really good partner actually from reading between the lines - top 10 - 20 or so

Montana Doug · Futures qualifying

seagull wrote:

Ideal partner in my eyes is Henman

As soon as I read the news I thought this. I really think Murray needs a top partner or someone like Henman. Henman has the best hands in the game at net, I think Henman would be the ideal partner, you don't need the biggest serve in doubles, good returns and to be able to volley is a huge and Henman has both of those things. I'd love to see it....will it happen? I doubt it, but I'd love to see it.

andyjmr · Intermediate Club Player

Montana Doug wrote:

I think Henman would be the ideal partner, you don't need the biggest serve in doubles, good returns and to be able to volley is a huge and Henman has both of those things. I'd love to see it.

I disagree. IMO Jamie is best up close to the net, and he needs a partner who is particularly strong fom the baseline, (such as Andy, or Jelena). Tim is more of a serve-volleyer and i don't think they would make a good match.

Montana Doug · Futures qualifying

Strong from the baseline is great....but as many coaches have said, doubles is all about getting forward and through out his career Tim has always found his way to the net. I doubt it would happen, but IMO I would love to see them play together. I can't imagine many top singles players like Andy wanting to join a doubles team, that is another reason I thought of Tim.

Considering how little Tim has played doubles look at his success esp in Atlanta in 1996 as a youngster.

Robxon · Lower Club Player

Infoman wrote:

I've just spoken to Booty..........He said that they have very different views on work ethics, how to treat people etc and in the end it became too much. .........

Does this mean that one of them wants to work hard and one doesn't? If so, which one is the worker? Do either of them have a reputation for partying?

johnnylad · Tennis legend

Booty and Hutch. Hope they do well , and then they might make it permanent!

imoen · Admin: Moderator+Tennis Legend

I'm disappointed by this news but not overly surprised (with the benefit of hindsight I can see it's been coming). They always said they'd only be together as long as they continued to 'live the dream' and I guess they stopped doing that so there goes the partnership.

Hopefully Booty does play with Hutchins as a permanent partnership would be good to see him stay with the Brits. Either way I'll continue to follow his career and hope he does well.

As for Jamie, I expect he'll jump from partner to partner for a while, trying out top doubles and singles players. Much as I'd like to see it I'd be highly surprised if he played with Tim. Tim has never expressed an interest in doubles beyond useful match practise and I doubt he'll want to prolong his career by heading down that roadl. Also, Jamie wants a long, successful career in doubles so I'd be surprised if he chose to partner someone ranked that low in doubles and at the latter end of his career.