Andy Murray is unlikely to move straight back into coaching after ending a six-month partnership with Novak Djokovic, according to his mum, Judy. The 38-year-old was expected to enjoy some quiet time with his family after calling time on his professional career last summer, but a whirlwind coaching gig with one of the greatest players of all time threw a spanner in the works.
And it only lasted a matter of months before the pair ‘mutually agreed’ to split. Djokovic was on a worrying run of form before he parted ways with Murray, and since the decision, he has won the Geneva Open and set up a semi-final at the French Open, which will take place later today (Friday).
On the partnership that promised so much but ultimately didn’t work out, Judy Murray told The National: “Andy had just retired and wasn’t looking to go into coaching but he stepped in because Novak asked him.
“When they joined up, I was certainly interested to see how he got on being on the other side of things and realising how stressful it can be. I don’t think he’s ready to jump straight back into coaching, though, because the tennis circuit is relentless.”
Instead, tennis coach Judy foresees her three-time Grand Slam champion son working with up-and-comers on a more informal basis while he fulfils all of his other retirement ambitions.
“I can see him doing a consultant type role with young players and he’s already done a lot of mentoring with the British players on the men’s side who are coming through, but I can’t see him being a full-time tennis coach,” she continued.
“There’s more to life than jumping straight back into the tennis rat race after nearly 20 years as a player. I don’t think he’ll necessarily want to jump back onto that merry-go-round – not when you’re someone who’s got four kids to taxi around and you want to get your golf handicap to scratch.
“Whether he does it in the future, I don’t know – that’s for him to answer and I actually don’t think he knows the answer either but my guess is not right now.”
Since splitting from Djokovic, Murray has headed in a brand new direction by taking up a role as an associate partner with venture capital company Redrice Ventures. The former world No. 1 will head up a group of athlete advisors for the firm as part of his new role.
