Andy Murray tipped to perform U-turn after tennis retirement - 'I wouldn't be surprised'
Andy Murray has backed to potentially become a pundit despite saying he doesn't want to be one following his tennis retirement
PA
Andy Murray's former coach, Mark Petchey, says he 'wouldn't be surprised' if the tennis icon took up a job in punditry - despite previously making it clear it wasn't something he's passionate about.
The Briton quit the sport he loved earlier this summer after playing doubles with Dan Evans at the Paris Olympics.
Murray previously suggested he wasn't sold on the idea of punditry, having dabbled in the past.
But Petchey, speaking exclusively to GB News via Bally Casino, thinks the 37-year-old 'may dip in and out' of the profession despite his previous comments.
Andy Murray has backed to potentially become a pundit despite saying he doesn't want to be one following his tennis retirement
PA
“I don't know if he wants to do punditry," he said.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he dipped in and out a little bit if he wants to, but that's up to him. I know punditry is not his first passion."
Petchey also says he hopes Murray lends his experience and expertise to the next generation by becoming a coach.
“There’s no news yet but I do hope he becomes a coach," he added.
"Anyone can talk about the game of tennis but not everybody can coach, and I think he would make a fantastic coach.
"Andy's greater legacy would be enhanced if he gets back into coaching, but it’s not necessarily mandatory just because he was a brilliant player.
“I think the help that he would give the younger kids coming through, both the men and the women, would be invaluable to British tennis.
"If I had a chequebook, I'd write whatever he needed to return to British tennis to work with kids and young adults coming through our ranks."
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Murray's tennis career is one to be envied.
He won his first Grand Slam at the US Open in 2012, getting the better of Novak Djokovic on that occasion in a five-set thriller.
Murray then proceeded to win two Wimbledon crowns in 2013 and 2016.
There's a widespread consensus that he was unlucky to be part of a generation that featured the likes of Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
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Andy Murray retired from tennis after playing doubles with Dan Evans at the Paris Olympics
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And Petchey thinks his former pupil would have won 'double digits' in majors if it wasn't for the trio.
“Andy Murray without the big three would have been double digits in majors," he continued.
“However, I think that because of the big three, he ultimately became the best version of himself as a tennis player.
"I think we were the beneficiaries as British tennis fans to see the best that Andy could ever produce as a tennis player because of Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Andy Murray's old coach, Mark Petchey, hopes the tennis icon lends his experience to the next generation
PA
“He’ll walk away from tennis knowing that he did everything within his power to become the best player he could be, which he achieved by reaching number one in 2016.
"He was the best player on the planet at the end of the season and it was just a phenomenal achievement.
“The hip problems really curtailed that success, but they didn't curtail his career because he made sure that he went out on his own terms.
“Could he have won more majors in a different era? There's no question. I think everybody would say yes, but we were fortunate enough to witness an incredible era of tennis. Andy is fortunate and humble enough to know that whatever happens down the line, he gave everything to the sport he loves the most.”
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