• Tennis

Murray to discuss new coach during time off

ESPN staff
April 8, 2014
Andy Murray missed out on an historic opportunity for Great Britain © AP
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Andy Murray is set to discuss plans for a new coach during his time off after admitting it has been a "long start to the year" for him.

The British No.1, who split from Ivan Lendl in March following a two-year partnership, will speak with his team on Wednesday about a new coach as he is set to take some time off from the circuit and return for the Madrid Masters in May.

"I'll definitely look at it over the next couple of weeks. I don't plan on playing much tennis for the next week because I haven't had much time off this year," Murray said.

"I'm sitting down with all the guys I work with tomorrow just to chat about things. I haven't wanted to talk about it or discuss it yet because it can be distracting."

Murray and Great Britain suffered disappointment at the weekend after being beaten by Italy in the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup. Murray lost to Fabio Fognini in a match which had he won would have guided Britain into the semi-finals for the first time in 33 years.

He underwent back surgery in September last year and made his comeback on Boxing Day, but feels now is the time to recuperate ahead of the clay court season in the build-up to the second Grand Slam of the year at the French Open, which begins on May 25, after skipping the event last season due to the back problem.

"I've played a lot of tennis this year. With the Davis Cup as well, that's an extra couple of weeks," Murray said.

"I also played in Rotterdam, another week. Acapulco was straight through into Miami, so it has been quite a long start to the year for me."

Murray did confirm he will be returning for the Masters 1000 event in the Spanish capital.

"I'm not playing until Madrid," he said. "I don't know exactly how long I will take off but I need to let my body recover.

"Although I maybe haven't won as many matches as in previous years, that doesn't mean that when you're at the tournaments you're not practising every day and preparing for those events."

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