Abu Dhabi: Former British tennis star Tim Henman has leapt to the defence of compatriot Andy Murray, praising the Scot’s ‘incredible mental capabilities’ despite the widespread belief that the 27-year-old’s occasionally combustible nature is costing him more major glory.
Henman insists Murray is capable of winning more grand slams under the tutelage of coach Amelie Mauresmo, hailing the two-time major winner’s ‘positive’ start to the year following an indifferent 2014.
The ex-British number one also dismissed the need for Murray to employ a full-time sports psychologist to his team, despite many pundits claiming that mental fragility at key moments remains his Achilles heel.
This was exemplified during the Australian Open final in January, when he stood toe to toe with world number one Novak Djokovic initially — before admitting to having lost concentration as the Serb toiled physically to lose timidly in four sets.
In an interview with Gulf News in Abu Dhabi, where he is taking part in the inaugural tennis legends’ exhibition event ‘Fortnum & Mason presents Tennis at The Palace’ at Emirates Palace hotel, the 40-year-old said: “I’m not sure if he needs someone like that travelling with him full time.
“Certainly the mental side is important, but to achieve what Andy has achieved in the game, to be a two-time grand slam champion and Olympic gold medallist, he’s obviously got some incredible mental capabilities.
“There are times when he does get a little bit frustrated on the court. He knows that, he’s working on that.
“I think if he keeps improving aspects of his game, keeps working on the mental side as he’s doing, I think he will win more grand slams in the future.”
The six-time grand slam semi-finallist is interested to see how Murray’s partnership with former world number four Jonas Bjorkman, whom the Scot added to his coaching set-up earlier this week, evolves.
He is unsure what Bjorkman will add to Murray’s game, but says the Swede will primarily lighten the load on Mauresmo.
Henman believes the Frenchwoman’s influence has started to bear fruit, however, with Murray performing impressively in Australia before his final capitulation against Djokovic.
“He played six weeks in a row at the end of the year to reach the ATP Tour Finals, so it was hard to work on his game,” Henman said. “But, during the off-season, they worked hard in Miami and you could see how she had an impact on his game, as the way he played in Australia was really impressive.
“I am optimistic for him this year.”
Henman is not keen to jump on the bandwagon of ex-players such as Mauresmo or Boris Becker in becoming a coach, however, given that he is enjoying spending more time with his wife and three daughters after an itinerant career.
However, he is revelling in taking part in the three-day Emirates Palace event, which began on Thursday and which involves him and past players such as ex-Wimbledon champions Pat Cash and Marion Bartoli taking part in lighthearted singles and doubles matches.
Of the first UAE grasscourt tennis tournament, Henman, who retired in 2007, said: “It’s been really, really good. I’ve come out to Abu Dhabi quite a lot in the last five or six years, mainly as an ambassador for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. To come out and see what they’ve done with the grasscourt and how they’ve built the event, it’s fantastic.
“There’s plenty going on and a really good turnout. With the court in front of Emirates Palace and the way they have built the hospitality, it looks really good.”
