INJURED ANDY’S IN RUDE HEALTH
ANDY MURRAY marked his coaching debut by dropping an F-bomb on live TV before Dan Evans lifted the title at the Schroders Battle of the Brits.
The double Wimbledon champion pulled out of the third place play-off because of a shin injury.
So the Scot stepped in as coach for his sub James Ward – and gave the British No.7 a lively pep talk during a sluggish first set against Cam Norrie.
With courtside microphones picking up every word in the behind-closed-doors event at the NTC, the former world No.1 said: “You need more energy. You have got f ****** two weeks in Virginia to sit on your a*** before you play your next match.”
Ward, who will now undergo quarantine in the USA before playing World Team Tennis, still lost 6-3 7-5 despite Murray’s advice.
The world No.273 said: “We had a little laugh about things, but it was a serious match and he was trying to give me the best information on how he’d do things.” Asked if Murray has a future as a coach, tournament winner Evans (below) said: “Not if he keeps swearing on live TV!”
It is not the first time a member of the Murray family has been caught cursing. His then fiancee Kim unleashed a verbal volley at Tomas Berdych during the 2015 Australian Open semi-final.
Murray, who lost in the semis to Evans in his latest comeback, hopes to return to the ATP Tour in Washington in August then get a wild card for the US Open. “I am OK,” he said. “This week is by far the most I have done in the last seven months. My left shin has been an issue coming in.
“It was a bit sore after my first match. Then it was OK for a couple of days. I felt it the day before I played Evo and then after I finished my match with him. Best not to risk it.
“For me, the results weren’t important. I wanted to get matches and play some good tennis.”
Evans confirmed his status as British No.1 by beating the No.2 Kyle Edmund 6-3 6-2. The world No.28 said: “I am probably fitter than I have ever been. I have put the work in.”