Murray to be hitched, coach staff ditched

Andy Murray announced his engagement to long-time girlfriend Kim Sears on Wednesday as he dispensed with two members of his backroom staff.

The 2013 Wimbledon champion has retained Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo, herself a former grand slam winner, as his head coach, while his engagement to Sears follows their nine years as a couple.

But two of the men who have played such a big part in Murray’s professional life will no longer be involved after his move to part company with friend and hitting partner Dani Vallverdu and fitness coach Jez Green.

Murray’s management company, who also announced his engagement, said the coaching split was mutual, with the 27-year-old Scot adding: “We sat down at the end of the season and decided that a change would be best for all of us.

“My off-season training and Australian Open preparations have already begun and I am very excited for the new year.

“I thank Jez and Dani for all their hard work over the years and wish them the best for the future.”

Murray and Vallverdu met at the Sanchez-Casal Academy in Spain as promising young players more than a decade ago, with the Venezuelan becoming a key member of the British player’s entourage.

Both Green and Vallverdu were said to be unhappy when Murray decided to appoint Mauresmo as his main coach to succeed Ivan Lendl in June, although the issue was reported to be a lack of consultation rather than consternation at their boss’s decision.

Murray has made significant changes to his coaching staff throughout his career, splitting with Brad Gilbert at age 20 despite Britain’s Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) paying the American a hefty fee primarily just to coach him.

His decision to hire former champion Lendl in 2012 sparked similar moves from Roger Federer, who brought in Stefan Edberg, and Novak Djokovic, who recruited Boris Becker.

Murray, the 2012 US Open and London Olympic Games champion, flew to Manila on Wednesday to play in the inaugural International Premier Tennis League and will travel to Miami next week.

He is due to begin his 2015 season with an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi on January 1.

The 26-year-old Sears has become a familiar, and much photographed, figure while watching Murray courtside at events around the world.

She too grew up in a tennis-loving home with father Nigel Sears formerly the LTA’s head of women’s tennis.

Kim Sears was once described by Judy Murray as “the best thing to happen to Andy”.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!