Andy Murray news: Former coach predicts what the Scot can achieve in 2022

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Andy Murray

Andy Murray made a positive start to the new year as he reached the final of the ATP 250 event in Sydney and one of his former coaches believes the three-time Grand Slam champion can defy his doubters and shine in 2022.

Alex Corretja worked with Murray from 2008 to 2011 and he told Tennis365 that the 34-year-old can make a big impact this year despite his enduring fitness issues.

Speaking to this website in association with Eurosport and discovery+, Corretja gave us his verdict on what to expect from Murray in the coming months.

“I think he can do well this year,” Corretja told Tennis365. “I’m not so sure how he’s going to be able to best of five and then get ready for two days later. I think he will need to prove himself to see how he feels, but he’s got experience, he has nothing to prove anymore, he knows the game, he knows the opponents.

“The opponents respect him because they know he’s a fighter and he’s someone who knows how to deal with pressure.

“I’m expecting a good season from Andy, probably he can win a title somewhere. I’m not so sure how he will feel on best of five in two weeks, at the moment that’s my only question, to see how he can recover physically from long matches but, for example, he loves Australia so he’s going to be someone that is going to be difficult for the top guys because no one wants to see Andy next to his draw. He’s such a dangerous player to play.”

Murray’s passion to continue in the game despite a five-year injury battle that included a major hip operation in 2019 highlights his commitment to the game, but Corretja is not surprised by his passion.

“I think he’s appreciating a lot more what he achieved now than probably when he was even the No.1 player in the world or when he was winning tournaments,” he added. “I think at that time probably he was younger, and he didn’t probably realise everything he’s been doing, and he had.

“Now I think as time went on, he’s now a father, he went through surgeries, he was about to quit tennis and now he’s willing to do whatever to squeeze the juices he’s got on his body to say ‘Okay I want to retire when I feel like this is it and I can’t do it anymore but I don’t want to leave anything in the tank.’ And that’s pretty much the way he is. He’s always been a fighter.

“He will be dangerous in every event he plays and I believe at Wimbledon, if he’s healthy and he will be playing for the next three, four, five months he can be someone there to hurt the opponents and reach the quarterfinals of a Slam this year at some point, I think that will be an amazing result.

“Winning a little title or small title and probably doing well in a Masters event will be something very important for him. If he’s able to finish top 20 in the rankings or something like that, it will be an amazing season.”

The Australian Open will be live on discovery+ and Eurosport from January 17th.

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