Murray Says Mauresmo Partnership Was Success
Murray Says Mauresmo Partnership Was Success
World No. 3 says former coach helped restore his confidence
Although it ended sooner than both would have liked, Andy Murray’s partnership with former coach Amelie Mauresmo was a success, the World No. 3 said on Tuesday.
His two-year working relationship with the former WTA World No. 1 helped Murray’s self-belief and tactical game. During their time together, Murray won seven tour-level titles and jumped six spots in the Emirates ATP Rankings.
“When she first came into the team, I was really struggling. I was not doing well. My confidence was low and I was going the wrong direction,” Murray said during his pre-tournament press conference at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome. “When she came on board, my results actually really picked up. For me, the time we spent together was positive.”
Murray announced he and Mauresmo were splitting on Monday, a day after the Brit lost in three sets to World No. 1 Novak Djokovic during the Mutua Madrid Open final. He and Mauresmo started working together on 8 June 2014. At the time, Murray was struggling with confidence and was trying to make his way into top form again after undergoing back surgery in September 2013. Murray was ranked No. 8 in the Emirates ATP Rankings and would see his ranking fall to No. 11 later in 2014.
Murray was without a title in 2014 before Mauresmo joined but he’d win three titles later that year. In 2015, Murray won four tour-level titles, including two ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles and his first clay-court championships. He also made the final at the Australian Open and at two other Masters 1000 events.
In 2016, Murray’s success continued. He again reached the final in Australia and nearly repeated in Madrid on Sunday. “I think the results that we had were good,” Murray said.
Mauresmo gave birth to a baby boy in August 2015, and after Murray went 1-2 at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals last year, there had been talk their working relationship would end. But the two stuck together, and the 28 year old said the decision gave his 2016 a needed boost.
“I think it gave both of us a lift, really. I think when I showed the confidence in her, she was really passionate and pumped and really wanted to make it work and me the same when she also stuck by me,” Murray said. “It was like, OK, we’re going to show everyone we’re a strong team… I think it was maybe my best Australian Open. I played extremely well there and came back well from how I finished [2015].”
The two had discussed trying to continue through Wimbledon but ultimately decided it was best to split now. Between the Australian Open and this week’s Internazionali BNL d’Italia, Murray said they’ve spent only 10 days together. “You simply need more time than that to make an impact and make a difference, in my opinion, and Amelie’s, as well,” he said.
The 11-time Masters 1000 champion said he’ll talk about his next move with his team in the upcoming weeks. Murray begins his Rome campaign against qualifier Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazahkstan on Wednesday. Kukushkin, No. 87 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, beat Next Generation star Borna Coric in three sets in the first round. Murray leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry 3-0.
The Scot’s best finish in the Italian capital was a semi-final run in 2011. During the past two seasons, Murray has lost only three times on clay (24-3).