BREAKING: Tim Henman’s Stunning Andy Murray Snub Leaves Tennis Fans Speechless as Emma Raducanu Emerges as a Future Possibility
Former British No.1 Tim Henman has admitted he passed up on the opportunity to coach two of the game’s biggest ever stars. Since retiring in 2007, the 51-year-old has done plenty of media work. However, coaching at an elite level is not something which has appealed to him yet. That said, he hasn’t entirely ruled out dipping his toe in the water at a later date. Henman has worked with top players in the past in his capacity as Great Britain’s captain at the United Cup but turned down the chance to work with both Andy Murray and Roger Federer earlier in his post-playing career.
“If you’re going to coach on the tour, it’s a big commitment,” Henman told Off Court with Greg Rusedski and the Tennis Mentor. “I talk about my media work and I’m going to the slams and a few other events, I might be on the road 12 weeks, which again is a perfect balance. I think, realistically, if you’re going to work with any player – let alone a top player – I think you’re going to double that. And I don’t have the desire, first and foremost, to be back on tour in that capacity.
Addressing those previous approaches from the two stars, he added: “A long time ago I had two coaching offers, Federer and Murray, and I said no to them both so I think I’ve set the bar pretty high. It may change. I’d be very surprised if it does but I’ll never say never because I love tennis.
When asked if there was extra temptation from the Murray offer, he indicated the calibre of player had little to do with his decision. “It’s just the coaching element of it. I didn’t want that commitment, that structure of the practice away from tournaments and then the time at tournaments. So nothing personal, Roger or Andy,” he said.
While Henman appeared comfortable with his decisions to date, that ‘never say never’ comment means the door isn’t entirely closed. Were he to decide to give coaching a serious go, there may well be questions about a link-up with fellow British talent Emma Raducanu.
World No.24 Raducanu is the top-ranked British player in the women’s game but she has already worked with countless coaches in her young career. She reunited with Mark Petchey on an informal basis ahead of Indian Wells but is not looking for a new permanent coach after parting ways with Francisco Roig.
“Right now I wouldn’t say I’m actively looking for a coach,” she told The Guardian. “I think I had a great experience with Francis in terms of how we got on so well … the rapport was great. I think in the end, we just weren’t aligning on certain key aspects. But we still maintain a really good relationship.
