Andy Murray joins Emma Raducanu at American agency with ‘eye on future business opportunities’

Tennis News
Andy Murray talks to the media at Wimbledon

Andy Murray has made a surprise management announcement as he has joined American-based IMG while he has also confirmed that he has disbanded the tennis division of his own agency.

The former world No 1 will join 2021 US Open winner Emma Raducanu on the books at IMG as the British youngster signed up with the company on the back of her success at Flushing Meadows 18 months ago while rising star Jack Draper is also with the agency.

“I’m looking forward to working with IMG not just for the remainder of my playing career, but with an eye on the future and opportunities both in tennis and in the wider business world,” the three-time Grand Slam winner is quoted as saying by The Times.

His comment about future opportunities in the “wider business world” is not a surprise as he has made no secret of the fact that he wants to go down that road once he retires.

“When I started out as a tennis player, I don’t think I really understood marketing,” the 35-year-old said in an interview a while back.

“I just wanted to play tennis, so it didn’t really interest me. But as I’ve got older and worked with lots of different brands, I have a better appreciation of marketing and its importance in the business of sport.”

What did come as a surprise is Murray’s move to IMG as the management of his career has been done in-house at 77 Sports Management since he set up the company alongside his long-time manager Matt Gentry a decade ago.

There is great significance to the number 77 as it refers to long drought for a British male player to win Wimbledon. After Fred Perry won the title at SW19 in 1936, it would take another 77 years before Murray won his maiden Wimbledon trophy in 2013. He then won a second title in 2016.

But the 77 Sports Management will no longer have a tennis section. The division represented British players like Harriet Dart, Paul Jubb, Katie Swan and Aidan McHugh in the past and IMG will those players to find “alternative management”.

It is a big move for Murray so late in his tennis career, but IMG’s Max Eisenbud said: “Andy has built a legacy in tennis that has not only shaped the sport but also defined its place in culture. We’re thrilled to have him join the IMG family and work together to expand his reach and influence across multiple businesses.”

IMG has always had a big tennis portfolio with the likes of Novak Djokovic, Serena and Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Naomi Osaka, Monica Seles and John McEnroe all part of their stable at one point.

Some other current stars include world No 1s Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz as well as Daniil Medvedev and Aryna Sabalenka.

Andy Murray

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