Amelie Mauresmo hopes Andy Murray retires at the right time and draws Rafael Nadal comparisons - ‘I’ve seen him suffer’
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Published 18/05/2024 at 10:01 GMT
Andy Murray's former coach Amelie Mauresmo reviewed how the Scot has pushed through the pain barrier on many occasions in the pursuit of success. The two-time Grand Slam winner wants the former world No1. to call it a day on his terms and not be forced to give up the game he loves. She also highlighted how and he and Rafael Nadal have both overcome adversity.
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French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo hopes Andy Murray will end his career at the right time heading into the second Grand Slam of the year.
The two-time Grand Slam winner was Murray’s coach between 2014 and 2016, and her appointment was hailed as a huge step in breaking gender barriers within tennis.
Mauresmo highlighted the Brit's immense resilience drew comparisons with 14-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal ahead of what could be their final appearances at the tournament.
“I have a particular bond with Andy,” she told Eurosport.
“I think he's capable of inflicting really hard things to himself with a lot of pain as well (as Rafa). I've seen him suffer too, and it's been a while since I stopped working with him: in 2016.
“So, for a long time now, he's been physically enduring things that aren't necessarily very pleasant. And I know that sometimes he wants to carry on, sometimes he wants to stop.
“I just hope he'll find the right moment for himself, for his body, and above all in his head, to say to himself: ‘okay, now's the time to stop quietly.’
“If it's his last, it'll be his last. If it's not his last, we'll see him again and that’s even better! But I just want him to be serene about the whole thing.”
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Murray still has an unquestionable passion for tennis, and made an unexpected trip to a Miami sports store to change his equipment after his third-round defeat at the competition in Florida.
“He's crazy! No, but he's passionate, he's always searching,” she explained.
“He loves it. I think, I don't know, I haven't talked to him about it recently, but I think he really loves tennis. So, for him, stopping doesn't necessarily make him happy.”
The tournament director also gave her assessment on Novak Djokovic, and is intrigued by the Serbian’s mentality now after already breaking the all-time Grand Slam record with 24 titles.
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“He has his 24 Grand Slam titles.
“As we know, he chased that record, he wanted to be the one who had the most titles. From the outside, you get the feeling that it might be difficult for him to find more motivation now.
“But I'm still waiting to see what he's going to come up with here, because he too has almost limitless resources - it seems.
“And mentally, he can still really surprise us beyond the game, beyond the physique. I think a lot depends on what he wants to do.
“And if he's still here, if he's still making the effort, it's because he knows he's got other things in him. So I can't wait to see what he comes up with here.”
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