Mauresmo quit over Murray's tantrums

PARIS • Amelie Mauresmo has revealed that it was she who ended the relationship with Andy Murray nearly three weeks ago, saying that the Scot's habit of shouting at his coaching box when things were not going to plan was a major factor in the split nearly two weeks ago.

In an interview with the Paris-based sports newspaper L'Equipe, the 34-year-old former world No. 1 tennis player said the parting of ways between her and the French Open second seed after almost two years was inevitable.

When asked directly over whether Murray's expletive-laden outbursts towards his support team were the decisive factor, the former Wimbledon and Australian Open champion answered: "Andy is complex. On court he can be the opposite to how he is off it. That can be disconcerting. I was there to help him, but I had the feeling I couldn't move things forward any more.

"I had the impression we got to the end of what could be done professionally. It was concluded it would be difficult to continue."

Her predecessors, such as Mark Petchey, Brad Gilbert, Miles Maclagan and Alex Corretja were also the targets of on-court outbursts. The only one who made it clear he would not tolerate such behaviour was Ivan Lendl, who coached the Scot to two Grand Slam titles.

Asked whether she had grown so tired of being the verbal punching bag that she sat apart from the rest of the support team in her last tournament with Murray, the Miami Open in March, she admitted: "I didn't want to be there any more."

Questioned further, she replied: "I do not want to go into details. Everyone was able to see some things."

Since her departure, Murray has been working with former British Davis Cup player Jamie Delgado. Having won the Rome Masters, he has been tipped as a genuine contender for the French Open title by former world No. 1 John McEnroe.

Murray faces Czech qualifier Radek Stepanek in the first round today.

THE TIMES, LONDON

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 23, 2016, with the headline Mauresmo quit over Murray's tantrums. Subscribe