‘I’d love Andy to keep playing so I can beat him’
JUBB KEEN TO TAKE ON IDOL
PAUL JUBB wants Andy Murray to keep playing for years – so he can get the chance to beat his mentor on the ATP Tour.
Murray admitted he was struggling to return from another injury setback after pulling out of the Miami Open last week.
And the Scot, who turns 34 next month, revealed he would like to be a golf caddie or football coach after he retires.
Jubb, 21, is at the other end of his career and is currently “grinding” at a third-tier ITF Futures event in Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. “It is not glamorous at all,” said Jubb.
But after signing for Murray’s 77 Sports Management, the 2019 Wimbledon wild card is driven to reach the same level as the three-times Grand Slam champion.
“It has been really good to have a close relationship with Andy – obviously the guy is a legend,” said Hull-born Jubb. “Being in the same environment as him is an honour. Since lockdown,
I have been based at the National Tennis Centre in London and I’ve been seeing him on a daily basis.
“We chat pretty often but you learn by just watching him. You can sense that little spark and see there is something different about those type of guys and it does rub off. A lot of people are telling him to retire and things like that. He’s a true champ and loves the sport and wants to carry on and compete.
“For him, the Challenger events must feel like a huge downgrade to what he normally plays. But to him, tennis is tennis. It’s the same for me – I want to play the higher tournaments now and it shows that I have to keep playing. It does send a good message.
“Every story of everyone’s success is all about what you do when people are not watching and when the spotlight is not on you.
“I want him to keep going so I can play him on Tour one day – and maybe beat him. I have got to try and work my way up there quick so I can get on the court with him for real.”
In the past six months, the world No500 has tested positive for Covid between trekking to Mexico, Dominican Republic, Turkey and to Egypt twice – where he won an event in February – in a bid to climb up the rankings and show he is worth another Wimbledon invite.
“I am just focusing on putting in some good graft and showing some form,” he said.