Simon Reed: Andy Murray can be successful without a coach

ByEurosport

Updated 09/05/2016 at 13:59 GMT

Andy Murray should be in no rush to replace Amelie Mauresmo as his head coach, according to Eurosport's chief tennis commentator Simon Reed, who believes the British number one is set for at least four years at the summit of the sport with or without fresh guidance.

Andy Murray - Amelie Mauresmo

Image credit: Reuters

I think all coaching relationships have a natural lifespan, and I think Andy's coaching relationship with Amelie probably ran its course.

I do think she was a calming influence on Andy at a time when he needed it.

[STORY: Andy Murray ends coaching relationship with coach Amelie Mauresmo]

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There were rumours in Miami when she was sitting somewhere else on court that there might have been a rift. Who knows? Andy denied that. I think it has just come to a natural conclusion as a working partnership.

It is the same with football managers. How many team talks do you want from the same guy before you stop listening to him? Unless he is Alex Ferguson, football managers come and go. It is the same with tennis coaches.

Andy Murray and Ivan Lendl

Image credit: AFP

I think Andy has listened closely to what Amelie has said, and I think he has taken on board the best she can offer.

I do think with coaches that normally a coach-player relationship has a natural lifespan. I don't think Andy Murray needs a top coach these days.

When he appointed eight-times Grand Slam champion Ivan Lendl, the Grand Slam finals were going wrong and Ivan was just the man to help him to get over that hurdle.

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He proved to be the perfect man at the right time, and then it seemed Ivan couldn't commit to as many days as Andy perhaps needed.

From a personal viewpoint, I sensed that had run its course and again, I sense this has run its course.

I really don't think Andy should be in a rush to appoint a new coach. He needs a friend who he likes and respects around him.

He already has that with Jamie Delgado.

Who really is going to teach Andy Murray tactics?

He may have needed help mentally a few years ago and Ivan provided that help. He maybe needed a little calming down afterwards which Amelie provided.

I think he probably needed a different view then, and different views are good.

Andy Murray and his coach Amelie Mauresmo

Image credit: AFP

Andy is in a good place at the moment. He has just beaten Rafael Nadal on clay in the Madrid last four, and played a great final in losing to Novak Djokovic in three sets.

He seems happy with life, and has not lost anything in terms of fanaticism or intensity.

When people criticise Andy for some of his outbursts during matches, I think they have to realise that is part of him and that is what has made him the world-class talent he is.

It may upset a few people, but it doesn't bother me and is part of his success.

Of course, Djokovic has a solid coaching relationship with Boris Becker, but then Novak keeps winning so he doesn't need to change much.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses for a locker room photograph with his coach Boris Becker

Image credit: AFP

Unless things go dramatically wrong with Murray's form, I can see him continuing without a coach.

If his form dips, only then would you say there is a pressing need to bring someone in.

I don't think Andy is going anywhere from the summit of the game for the next three or four years.

I think he will carry on with Jamie, who has coached Gilles Miller and is there for Andy as part of his team.

Jamie Delgado

Image credit: Eurosport

Andy is really friendly with Jamie. They are mates, and I can see that working longer term.

We'll see what happens, but there is no pressing need for Andy needing a coach to improve his game.

Certainly not when he has just beaten Rafa on clay.

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