The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Murray seeks continuity as he eyes Queen’s title
Scot keen on lasting partnership with Mauresmo and Bjorkman
Andy Murray is intent on retaining the services of current coaches Amelie Mauresmo and Jonas Bjorkman “for a long time”.
Murray is onto the sixth backroom team of his professional career and admitted: “I don’t want to have new coaches every year.”
Following yesterday’s win over Fernando Verdasco at the Aegon Championships, the 28-year-old Scot underlined his keenness to build a lasting partnership with Mauresmo, who succeeded Ivan Lendl last summer, and Bjorkman who joined his team in April.
“I hope that my coaching arrangement just now lasts for a long time,” said Murray, preparing to face Gilles Muller in today’s quarter-finals.
“I think it’s better to have continuity, I’m not that young anymore. I don’t want to have new coaches every year or couple of years.”
Luxembourg’s Muller dumped lacklustre defending champion Grigor Dimitrov out of the Queen’s Club’s second round.
The 32-year-old prevailed in straight sets, much to the delight of his coach and Murray’s compatriot and friend Jamie Delgado.
Murray then dispatched Fernando Verdasco 7-5 6-4, showing flashes of deft grass-court brilliance, to move closer to a record-equalling fourth Queen’s Club title.
Birmingham-born Delgado reached a career-high singles ranking of 121 in his playing days but is fast earning a strong reputation in the field of coaching.
The 38-year-old has helped Muller turn a career-threatening elbow injury into a rise to a best-ever singles ranking of 34 in February this year.
Despite his firm friendship with Delgado, Murray replied “I don’t know to be honest” on whether he could see the two working together in a professional capacity.
“I think Jamie’s very knowledgeable about the game, he loves tennis, he’s been on the tour himself for a long time and he’s done a very good job with Gilles,” said Murray.
“Gilles was coming back from an injury when they started together but I’m pretty sure he’s helped get him to his career-high ranking.
“He’s done a very good job there and he’s a good friend of mine.”
Muller brushed past Dimitrov 6-4 7-6 (7/5) to set up his last-eight tussle with Murray, another of the top seeds biting the dust.
Dimitrov joined Rafael Nadal and Stan Wawrinka in early Queen’s exits, paving the way for Murray to seize his fourth title, provided he can negotiate a raft of big servers left in the draw.
While not the most feared of opponents in west Kensington, Muller can still pack a service punch, and has also fought back in style after two injuryplagued years.
Murray and Muller trained at the same Barcelona tennis nursery in their youth, with the Dunblane native revealing a fondness for today’s opponent.
“I’ve known him a long time, I’ve spent a bit of time with him recently through my friendship with Jamie and I want him to do well,” Murray said.
“He’s a nice guy, a good guy, quiet but good fun.”
Muller admitted he was almost forced to quit tennis when his elbow problems bit deep, as he slipped to lower than 500 in the world rankings.
“It was my last chance, if you can put it that way,” Muller said of his long recovery.
“Back then I was 30 so I kind of knew it was my last shot, because if I wouldn’t make it back or if there would be another injury then there was a good chance that would be it.
“It’s strange to say but the injuries almost helped, because (when) you cannot play, be at the tournaments... you’re missing it and then you see again how nice it is – you miss the nice things.”
Two seeds went crashing out last night with big-serving American John Isner beating No 8 seed Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (9-11) 7-6 (7-4), while Viktor Troicki got the better of fourth seed Marin Cilic 6-7 (8-10) 6-2 6-3.