Report: Murray splits with long-time friend, coach; sticks with Mauresmo
Reaffirming his commitment to Amelie Mauresmo, Andy Murray has opted to begin his 2015 season without his long-time friend and coach Dani Vallverdu and fitness trainer Jez Green, according to his website.
Murray's message on his website about the news stated:
"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."
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Murray and Vallverdu met while training together at an academy in Spain and have known each other since they were teenagers. Vallverdu joined Murray's team in 2010 as a hitting partner and slowly began to take a more prominent role on the team as both a confidant and advisor. While Murray cycled through coaches, such as Alex Corretja, Ivan Lendl and now Mauresmo, Vallverdu was the one constant. Though Lendl earned the spotlight during Murray's fantastic run from 2012 to 2013, where he won Olympic gold at the London Olympics, his first major at the U.S. Open and then his career-defining win at Wimbledon in 2013, Vallverdu continued to be Murray's full-time traveling coach.
Eugenie Bouchard and coach Nick Saviano split
But the cracks began to form this summer after Murray announced his partnership with Mauresmo. While Vallverdu was heavily involved and informed in the decision to hire Lendl in 2011, Murray kept his team out of the loop on the Mauresmo hire. After Murray lost in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon there were reports that Vallverdu was already unhappy and considered leaving the team.
After a strong fall stretch that saw him win three titles in three weeks, qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals and finish the season at No. 6, Murray reiterated his commitment to Mauresmo in 2015. That commitment may have left Murray and Vallverdu at an impasse.
Murray is currently on his way to the Philippines to play in the International Premier Tennis League.
Here's how the British press reacted to the news:
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