Coaching by Mauresmo

Scottish Shaun · Newbie

Coaching by Mauresmo

BeefyDeedz · Pro player

RE: Will Andy sack Mauresmo?

indiana · Tennis legend

I've never been convinced about Mauresmo somehow, and what Andy intimated she could bring to his game, more variety and less trading blows, I am not sure that I want to see ( back ) in Andy's game.

However, in truth I clearly know little of what she brings on a day to day basis, and it would be a bit much to blame his thrashing by Federer particularly at Amelie's door. Rather more to do with Andy being playing catch up all year and then probably mentally and / or physically fatigued at the WTF after such an effort to get there. So it would be fairer really to see how they go in the new year with hopefully quite a bit fitter Andy and focussed on competing more evenly again with the top players. If it's not working then...

So no idea whether Andy will seek yet another coach. If he did, I suspect it would be genuinely more mutually deciding to move on rather than "sacking".

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

I don't think anything will be happening quickly, they will have to see how Andy does in the first half of next year, after he has had a proper training block.

As for the choices - I don't think McEnroe is likely to be able to give enough time to Andy. Agassi is not interested in coaching while he has a young family; Connors - please no! As big a personality clash as Brad Gilbert IMO; Paul Annacone I believe is not available, though I could be wrong; the other two I haven't a clue about whether or not they would be available or suitable.

No coach can make much difference in a few months unless taking on a clueless youngster.

TMH · Futures qualifying

Madeline wrote:
No coach can make much difference in a few months unless taking on a clueless youngster.

Lendl and Edberg will beg to differ.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

It took more than a few months to me. It depends how you define "few".

TMH · Futures qualifying

I think Lendl's impact was almost immediate. The Australian Open in 2013 was some of the most consistently aggressive tennis I'd seen Murray play, and arguably his best performance in a Slam against the top 3 (maybe second to the 2008 US Open) at that time.

Either way, both Lendl and Edberg made more of an impact in their first six months than Mauresmo has. Andy's game has remained the same at best, regressed at worst. His biggest weakness - first serve percentage and that dreadful second serve - haven't improved whatsoever, and that to me is criminal.

-- Edited by TMH on Friday 21st of November 2014 08:20:02 PM

-- Edited by TMH on Friday 21st of November 2014 08:20:41 PM

A1 tennis academy · Satellite level

Scottish Shaun wrote:
As the title says, will Andy sack Mauresmo after getting trounced 6-1, 6-0 by Federer or do you expect he will stick by her for a while?
I reckon he needs a change and possibly McEnroe is man to sort him out and certainly sort out his serve.

Other potential contenders are: Paul Annacone; Javier Piles; Jonas Bjorkman; Andre Agassi or Jimmy Connors.

Mauresmo was trendy tokenism period

A1 tennis academy · Satellite level

TMH wrote:
Madeline wrote:
No coach can make much difference in a few months unless taking on a clueless youngster.
Lendl and Edberg will beg to differ.

Sorry Madeline wrong on that one big time !

indiana · Tennis legend

I have never been sure that Amelie was a great choice, and may have been a misjudgement, but I hugely doubt that Andy appointing her was anything to do with "trendy tokenism" - both words seeming inappropriate, the two together moreso.

indiana · Tennis legend

I think there are probably many examples of new coaches having a pretty immediate impact on pros of varying ages and experience.

And I would agree that Ivan was one with Andy in how quickly he had Andy playing consistently more aggressively and with better on court attitude / body language.

Not saying an impact has to be immediate, but it happens.

EddietheEagle · County player

Lendl was clearly a big game changer for Murray, perhaps the biggest in the history of tennis.

Murray seems to be in a bit of a cleft stick with his present coach. Like Indiana, I cannot really see what her contribution is to any real, tangible improvement in his game. By the same token it's not going to go down well to sack Mauresmo while he's in the rather rudderless state he's been in of late with his patchy form. And overall, he hasn't performed that badly in the last few weeks, the Federer match aside of couse. A main priority, in using the O2 finals as a target (despite his claims to the contrary), must have been to bolster as best he could, his ranking for the A.O. which to some extent he's achieved.

Oakland2002 · All-time great

I agree with Indy, Andy made tremendous strides st the end of last year to qualify for the ATP finals. This year has to be seen in the context of rehabilitation and Andy is probably now only just about fit enough to enter the rigorous training block that was the basis of his success in the two years prior to his injury.

Without that and the additional athleticism that allows Andy to compete with the top 3 he is dependent on his technique, phenomal will to win and passion for tennis which takes him into the top 6 best in the world. Lendl didn't take over Andy after surgery for a career threatening injury and his progress since, under Amelie, I think stands comparison when put into context.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Just my tuppence ha'penny opinion: I was never a fan of Amelie as a coaching choice. In fact, I was, and am, quite against it. She's a really lovely person, and a wonderful-to-watch tennis player. But she was a real under-achiever, a player who would have every French heart in their mouth as she would struggle to get over the finish line, grasp defeat out of the jaws of victory, play one sublime match and then look clueless the next day . . . . Her foray into coaching with Azarenka lasted barely enough time to draw breath (a couple of events ? where Vika performed pretty badly - certainly pretty dreadfully in one of them - I can remember it well, with Amelie in the stands). I find it hard to believe that someone who did so well on talent and athleticism and hard work but was so singularly lacking in (self) analytical tennis skills has what it takes to be a top coach. (But I'm sure that Andy knows FAR better than me (!!!!) so if he's happy . . . )

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Will Andy sack Mauresmo ?

Apparently not. Judging from a number of tweets that Steven is currently retweeting, Mauresmo is staying but both Dani Valverdu and Jez Green have been given the push.