Andy Murray turned down the opportunity to work with top players on both the ATP and WTA tours before becoming Novak Djokovic’s coach, according to Andy Roddick.
Roddick revealed Murray was approached by “many” high-ranked players in the months following his retirement from tennis.
Murray called time on his amazing career after his appearance at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris this summer.
Djokovic stunned the tennis world last week by announcing that his fellow former world No 1 and rival would become his new coach.
“I am excited to have one of my greatest rivals on the same side of the net, as my coach,” the Serbian icon said in a video shared on social media.
“Looking forward to start of the season and competing in Australia alongside Andy with whom I have shared many exceptional moments on the Australian soil.
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“We played each other since we were boys, 25 years of pushing each other to our limits. We had some of the most epic battles in our sport. They called us game changers, risk takers, history makers.
“I thought our story may be over. Turns out it has one final chapter. It’s time for one of my toughest opponents to step into my corner. Welcome aboard, coach Andy Murray.”
Speaking on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast, Roddick divulged that Murray was in high demand for his services as a coach.
“I’ve heard, and it’s not my place to say, top players — male and female — [Andy] Murray has said no to many over these past four months,” the 2003 US Open winner said.
“The other people who were asking were on the top of the pile too. They were high-high-high ranked men and women from what I’ve heard.”
Roddick’s co-host, Jon Wertheim, added: “I have heard the same thing.
“This is not the first player who has reached out to Murray. Murray’s family unit basically said you are going to regret it if you don’t do this.
“It’s also Australia, it isn’t like it’s Wimbledon and it’s like I’m going to be on-site anyway, it’s flying across different time zones and I was told that people very close to Murray essentially said we know you too well, go ahead and do it and see how it goes.”
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