IT is a mark of Andy Murray’s character that for his frequent chopping and changing of coaches throughout his career, he has remained on good terms with all of them.
From Leon Smith to Ivan Lendl, Murray has never held a grudge, while each of his coaches have only good words to say about the man they helped on the path to Grand Slam glory.
Alex Corretja coached Murray from 2008 to 2011, the first two years alongside Miles Maclagan and the last year on his own. In that time, Murray reached his first Grand Slam final, at the US Open in 2008, and made back-to-back Australian Open finals in 2010 and 2011.
The Spaniard, a player blessed with a stylish one-handed backhand who reached world No 2, initially helped educate Murray in the art of clay-court tennis, before taking over full-time. The pair have kept in close touch since and after the Scot’s announcement that he plans to
retire at Wimbledon because of his hip injury, Corretja described Murray as “an amazing inspiration”.
“My tribute to him would be that I learned so much from him, he was an inspiration to me and he’s been like a little brother to me,” Corretja said. “I love him so much, we have an unbelievable relationship. I went to his wedding. When I first met him he was very young, but I could see in his eyes the determination he had to become a great champion.”
Corretja, who is working at the Australian Open for Eurosport, said Murray will be remembered for what he did on the court and who he was off it.
“Whatever he did, people will appreciate it over time,” he said. “He helped British tennis so much – children, teenagers – when they weren’t interested in tennis.
He became Wimbledon champion, won an Olympics, won the Davis Cup – it is very unique.
“Andy is a very sensitive guy, very generous. He is someone that loves jokes. He loves the people who work with him – he treats them very well. Even if sometimes you see on the court sometimes that he can lose a little bit of focus.
“He is someone who really appreciates what you do with him. Andy is someone who I am lucky to call a friend.”
On the court, Corretja said Murray’s tactical nous, which first showed itself on the artificial grass courts in Dunblane, made him stand out above the rest.
“The way he reads the game, the way he moved on the court, the way he tried to find his opponent’s weaknesses – if he played someone who serves and volleys very well then maybe he’d sit in and take time out of the serve of his opponent,” he said. “If he needs to run and put more balls in the court, he’d do that. If he needed to become more aggressive then he’d do that.
I think the way he could adjust to his opponents was one of his greatest assets and strengths.”
Murray’s determination, to get the best out of his game and of his body, helped him get all the way to the top, reaching world No 1 in 2016.
Three Grand Slam titles, including two Wimbledon wins, two Olympic gold medals, a Davis Cup triumph and 45 career titles mark him out as a great player, surely Scotland’s best sportsman.
Corretja said that determination was there from the start.
“He is someone who simply never gets fatigued,” he said.
“Indestructible. Someone who will fight for everything.
“He is someone who was always searching for something huge. Ever since I have known him, he always wanted to be No 1 and win slams. He wanted to do something big for the Davis Cup and he did it. He was always someone who challenges himself.
“He found a nice balance between being defensive and aggressive.
He improved his offensive game a lot. He improved his forehand. You could see the skills he had. His footwork was amazing. And it was a privilege to see the way he reads a match. Once all of this came together, he had the chance to become No 1 and he took his chance a couple of years ago. I am proud about that.”
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