Andy mutually ends partnership with Ivan

steven · Tennis legend

RE: Andy mutually ends partnership with Ivan

philwrig · Hall of fame

The inside call seems to be Brett or Stefanki, as everyone else is unavailable, in particular Cahill. Obvious wild card is McEnroe.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Please, not Stefanki. Not if he is looking for somebody long term. Stefanki often seems to have a good effect for a short period but in the long term, it doesn't work.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Apparently Andy has decided who he wants, but for the moment is keeping schtum. Many details to be ironed out. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/27545567

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Interestingly not giving away even the gender..Navratilova??

Armchair · County player

Well Navratilova was interviewed on 5Live yesterday and said she'd jump at the chance ....

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

According to journalist tweets:

"Andy Murray confirms he has talked to female candidates about possibly coaching him. Would be cool if his eventual pick was a woman"

Spectator · All-time great

Yes, but they seem to be leaning towards Mauresmo, not Navratilova, no?

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Spectator wrote:
Yes, but they seem to be leaning towards Mauresmo, not Navratilova, no?

Oh no, surely not ?!?!?!

Spectator · All-time great

Well, it's all pure speculation, so pretty pointless. But yes, the journalists are certainly speculating in that direction.

Whatever the coaching situation may or may not be, it's very refreshing to have a top, world-class male athlete who takes female athletes seriously and is happy to suggest that men and women might be able to work together productively. Mutual respect is a fine thing.

-- Edited by Spectator on Thursday 29th of May 2014 07:14:38 PM

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

I think the Mauresmo rumour came about just because she was spotted watching his first round match. I also think I read somewhere that she has since denied that she was in the running.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I completely agree about the principle, Spectator. It would certainly set an excellent example and be a big step forward in terms of equal rights and respect (France has just got its first female football club manager - it's caused a bit of a stir but a large number of people are very happy and saying 'well, let's see how she 'manages', who cares about anything else?').

But I really feel that Amelie was not in her element when she tried being a coach - and I am a big fan of Amelie in general. I just don't think it's her strength.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Madeline wrote:
I think the Mauresmo rumour came about just because she was spotted watching his first round match. I also think I read somewhere that she has since denied that she was in the running.

Mauresmo is of course working for French TV here. She has been all over the coverage, even though I haven't got a clue what she (or anyone else) has been saying. So it is hardly surprising that she was watching Andy's match.

Spectator · All-time great

I have no knowledge of Mauresmo, so would defer to your knowledge, CD. But my comment was more about the fact that Mr Murray is, in general, one of the few top male athletes who consistently speaks about women in a way that seems to value them as worthy peers. Various people have commented over the years that he's one of the few male players who is willing to discuss what's happening on the WTA tour (beyond the question of pay and number of sets played) ... and I can't imagine too many other men in any sport who would suggest that they could work with a woman.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Spectator wrote:
I have no knowledge of Mauresmo, so would defer to your knowledge, CD. But my comment was more about the fact that Mr Murray is, in general, one of the few top male athletes who consistently speaks about women in a way that seems to value them as worthy peers. Various people have commented over the years that he's one of the few male players who is willing to discuss what's happening on the WTA tour (beyond the question of pay and number of sets played) ... and I can't imagine too many other men in any sport who would suggest that they could work with a woman.

My view about Mauresmo is obviously only my view, could well be 100% wrong, and I do like her and have a lot of respect for her as a person, and a tennis player.

But I completely agree with you,, Spectator, about Andy in general - it's a real credit to him (and to his parents) that he does genuinely seem to be interested and concerned about women's tennis/ women in general and respect their views.

I thought his comments about Taylor Townsend were great. And a couple of years ago he made similarly appreciative comments about Caroline Garcia, saying he was watching her match and she was going to be the next huge thing in women's tennis.

It doesn't matter if he's right or wrong, the very fact that he chose to watch Garcia and Townsend play when there were 101 other things he could be doing, and so many male players have absolutely zero interest in the women's game, says a lot about him.