Corretja to help Murray on clay

Two-time French Open finalist Alex Corretja will coach Andy Murray during the clay-court season.

The 33-year-old Spaniard, a former world number two, will work with Murray at events in Valencia, Monte Carlo, Rome, Hamburg and the French Open.

Corretja will work alongside Miles Maclagan and physical trainer Matt Little for a nine-week period.

"It is great for me to be able to work with a clay-court specialist like Alex," Murray told his website.

"He had a fantastic career and I am looking forward to learning from his experiences."

Corretja said: "I have watched Andy play several times over the last couple of years and in particular his close match against Nadal in Madrid in October.

"(I) saw that he has tremendous potential to play well on all surfaces and I am flattered to have been asked to be part of his team during the clay court season."

Murray has won two titles in 2008 but also suffered some disappointing results, including the defeat by Mario Ancic in Miami last week, when he wasted two match points.

The 20-year-old Scot missed most of the clay-court season last year after suffering a serious wrist injury in Hamburg.

He has been working with a team of experts instead of one coach this season after parting company with Brad Gilbert last year.

Corretja was twice a beaten finalist at Roland Garros - in 1998 and 2001 - and was ranked number two in the world in 1999. He won 17 titles before retiring in 2004.

Couldn't believe this one went without comment.Poor Dinky jo :hug:

I just thought that it warranted some passing of judgement.This is one of Murray's better choices,and quite frankly he needs people of Corretja's experience telling him what to do.

I just hope that Murray will listen,as he has gone through one of the most high profile coaches already,although Gilbert obviously wasn't an easy person to continually listen too.

Murray has yet to prove himself on clay and it's a shame that he isn't playing Valencia due to a virus,but it's more time to prepare and work on the dynamic between player and coach.

Look forward to seeing Murray play on clay and play well,because of all the surfaces,you look at his game as it is now,and he should achieve his best results on this surface.

Obviously movement is the key component on clay,the ability to slide and hit is a refined skill mastered over the years by many a Spainard and Argentinians,so not having seen Murray play at all on clay I really can't judge him on this,but he certainly has the economy of shot,and ball-striking to suceed.

:hug: thanks Brakkus, but more like "poor murray" obviously no one cares about him or his clay season :P (at least that's what i've been telling myself :cry: :giggle: )

Sadly not many Murray fans on here. :cry:

I've been beat up regulary in the ATP section for championing the Murray game,but I understand he's a frustrating player both for his play and personality,but he's going to mature later than other players like Nadal or Djokovic,so go Murray. :yahoo:

I think it's great news but I've already analysed it and over analysed it some more on the Beeb so I wasn't really up for it on here.



SG=Biggest Murray and Sharapova fan on Centre Court :P

so we're not good enough for your analysis, huh? :angry: :P

No, there are just more people on the Beeb :shrug:


And I got kinda bored by the subject-There's only so much one can discuss it until we actually see him play :shrug:

True, that's what I thought and didn't really have anything more to say. We'll see .....

Sorry Jo, didn't see this before.

I agree with Brakkus. I think Andy has the ball striking and game for clay but from what I have seen (simply my observation) he hasn't developed the right movement and the ability slide so well yet, and Corretja coming in may well help him to do just that.

I think Corretjas's appointment can only help Andy. Will he get in an experienced grass court head for Wimbledon as well?

I certainly hope to see Andy gain some ranking points during the clay court season, he has much to gain after last year. :ok: