JOHN MCENROE would have jumped at the chance to coach Andy Murray.
But the British No 1 has missed – for now – the opportunity to replace Amelie Mauresmo with Supermac because the tennis legend has signed up as a short-term grass-court consultant to Canadian star Milos Raonic.
McEnroe, who will work for the BBC at Wimbledon once his three-week stint with world No 9 Raonic is over, said of Murray: “When you look at someone who’s that good, you’re always interested – speaking for myself, I can’t speak for everyone.
“It depends on what type of commitment you’re talking about and for how long.
“There was never any discussion. I never heard from anyone.
“I think clearly my old rival Ivan Lendl made a positive difference with Andy. He won a couple of majors.
“So you’re talking about the cream of the crop.”
Since Mauresmo and Murray split, former Davis Cup team-mate and Jamie Delgado has led the British No 1’s team.
Murray became the first British man to reach the French Open final in 79 years but lost on Sunday to history man Novak Djokovic, whose head coach is tennis great Boris Becker.
The Scot has said he is open to the idea of asking Lendl to return to his side, more than two years after they parted company.
Lendl was unwilling to commit to spending as much time travelling as Murray wanted.
But it seems Murray may be willing to compromise on that – especially after early success working with assistant coach Delgado, who will be with him 40 weeks per year.
McEnroe said: “He [Murray] had great success before and I don’t see why he would not do it.
“I am not sure if the baggage that took place when they broke up…I don’t know if it is like going back out with your ex-wife or ex-girlfriend, I don’t know if it was that extreme.
“On paper, it potentially makes some sense to me.
“I mean he has got Delgado, so he has a coach, but he might want to bring in a second guy – the ‘looking for some extra attention guy’!
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“It’s been a win-win for Boris and Novak as an example.
“It would not surprise me and it might even make sense.
“It might not work. But it is an interesting thought.”
*John McEnroe is part of the BBC’s Wimbledon line up. Catch all the action across BBC TV, radio and online from 27 June.*
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