"Too fragile and too young": the revelation of the coach who turned down Andy Murray before his rise

In 2005, at 18 years old, Andy Murray was already knocking on the doors of the very top level. But when he approached a renowned coach, the answer was clear: no.

© AFP

Jules Hypolite

le 28/11/2025 à 18h06

1 min to read

Gilbert Murray Roddick

Andy Murray, retired since summer 2024, was often the fourth threat on the tour when the Big 3 were sweeping everything in their path. But through his self-sacrifice, the Briton still managed to win three Grand Slams, 14 Masters 1000 titles, and the world number one ranking in 2016.

In 2005, he contacts a renowned coach on the tour

It was in 2005 that Murray, 18 years old, made his mark on the professional tour by reaching the third round at Wimbledon, among other achievements.

The Scot, who seemed destined for a bright future, then approached Larry Stefanki with a view to the 2006 season. The former coach of John McEnroe, Marcelo Rios, and Tim Henman declined Murray's proposal.

"He was too weak and too young"

Stefanki chose to coach Fernando Gonzalez from 2006 to 2008, before joining Andy Roddick's camp the following season. His protégé faced Murray in the Wimbledon semifinal, a match he would win 6-4, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6.

The American coach then explained why he had refused to coach Murray:

"He was too young, too fragile. And I didn't want to deal with everything that the position would have entailed. But I was certain he would become a top 10 player. At the time, he was a boy. Now, he's a man."

Murray, for his part, had opted for Brad Gilbert, before hiring Ivan Lendl in 2011.