Murray explains coaching decision

Andy Murray has defended his decision to employ a rotating squad of coaches following his split with Brad Gilbert.

The British number one insists he only wants “a couple of coaches, a couple of trainers and a couple of physios” to work with him during the forthcoming season.

He told the Daily Telegraph: “A lot of people have made out that I’m going to have so many people around me. But I’m never going to have more than one coach, a fitness trainer and a physio.

“I don’t want to have five coaches, six trainers and three physios. It’s just that I know what it’s like being on the road all the time with one person and it gets quite stressful.

“I want to be in a position where I have a couple of coaches, a couple of trainers and a couple of physios who all get on well with each other and are good at what they do. Then they can rotate with each other.

“That way, if they get tired or want to go home or want to see their family or just want a little break, they can say so. I’ll say ’fine’.

“If you travel 30-35 weeks a year, it gets tough. But if you travel 15-16 weeks and you feel fresh and rejuvenated each time you get to a tournament, it’s much better. There’s not so much pressure on the relationship.”

Murray, who parted company with American Gilbert last month, insisted he was not looking to employ people who would simply bend to his will.

“If people are thinking that, they don’t know me,” he said.

“I don’t want to have people around me saying, ’Yes, Andy, you’re right’. I want to get better.

“I want to become one of the best players in the world and I’m not stupid enough to think I’m going to get there by listening to people saying, ’Yeah, Andy, you’re great already. You don’t need to get any better’.

“I think this is the best way to improve. Get fitter, get stronger and find ways of improving the little things.

“Because I’m a very good tennis player, I’m 11th in the world and I can do most things well. But there are a lot of little things that I can do much better and that’s going to be the difference between being ranked 11th and being in the top five – or three – in the world.”

He added: “I think I’m going to be the best prepared I’ve ever been for a season. I’ve never trained so hard in my life as I have for the last two weeks and I’m really looking forward to my new way of doing things.”