Sir Andy keen on move into football after he hangs up his racket

● World No 1 sees his future in coaching tennis but also hints at a change of sport

Sir Andy Murray has revealed he would like to explore coaching once he quits tennis – and has not ruled out an audacious move into football. Asked about what he planned to do for after he retires from playing, he said: “Something within British tennis probably, potentially coaching another player. I would like to do something in football. I watch loads of it. I am into my fantasy sports a lot.”

Murray was a promising footballer in his youth and was asked to train with Rangers but tennis took priority.

“I played for Gairdoch, which was a feeder club for Rangers,” the world No 1 said in 2009. “I was asked to do some training with Rangers but by then I was pretty committed towards my tennis – and I think I might have made the right decision.”

Despite the Rangers link, Murray’s family are Hibs fans. Andy maternal gradfather, Roy Erskine, played for the Easter Road side in the 1950s and mum Judy is a keen supporter.

Andy’s older brother Jamie was announced as patron of the Hibs Community Foundation in 2013 and has spoken of he and Andy’s interest in the club.

“When we went to watch Hibs my favourite player was Michael O’neill, but the guy we both loved to watch had to be Russell Latapy, a magical player and a real entertainer,” Jamie Murray said.

“Andy’s favourite player, though, was another tricky wee midfielder, Mickey Weir.”

It is not clear what role Andy sees for himself in football but he also evisages a future in tennis coaching, although not before a break to spend time with his family.

Speaking in an interview with The Times he said: “I would like to try my hand at coaching at some stage but I wouldn’t think immediately after I finish. I would like to spend a lot of time at home with family and see my child, or children, growing up.”

Murray practised at Melbourne Park yesterday ahead of the Australian Open which begins on Monday. The Scot will be top seed for the first grand slam of the season, with the draw to take place tomorrow. He has never won the Australian Open but has reached the final four times.

0 Andy Murray practises at Melbourne Park yesterday ahead of the Australian Open.