John McEnroe's Andy Murray plea after Novak Djokovic admission

John McEnroe had a message for Andy Murray

Tennis legend John McEnroe has pleaded with Andy Murray to remain involved in tennis. The 38-year-old briefly began his coaching career after retiring last year but has since parted ways with Novak Djokovic and also turned down the idea of covering Wimbledon as a pundit. Two-time Wimbledon champion Murray called time on his playing career after the Paris Olympics last summer. It was hoped that his surprise decision to join Djokovic’s team in November would mark Murray’s transition to becoming a successful coach, but their partnership lasted just six months. However, McEnroe is eager for Murray to keep searching for a role that suits him as he believes the tennis icon has much to offer. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

It has been 20 years since Murray made his Wimbledon debut as a player, but he is not planning to attend the tournament this time around. This year, as he is not competing at the All England Club nor involved as a coach or pundit, Murray recently headlined his four-date Centre Stage tour, reflecting on his career, with the last event taking place at the New Wimbledon Theatre. McEnroe had changed his travel plans in order to attend Murray’s tour and shared his wish for the future. “Andy, I hope that you stay involved with the sport, in whatever way you’re happy with,” McEnroe told Murray, as reported by the Telegraph. Three-time Wimbledon champion McEnroe summed up his feelings towards Murray in his next four words: “This sport needs you,” he said, “and it would love you to be around on a somewhat regular basis.” Murray is only months removed from his short stint as Djokovic’s coach, but both men agree that it did not go as planned. On the opening night of his tour, Murray reflected on the experience of working with Djokovic.

McEnroe spoke to Murray during his Centre Stage tour

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“We had a chat on the phone and he asked me if I would consider coaching him, which I wasn’t expecting. I think it was a pretty unique opportunity,” Murray explained. “I was really enjoying being at home but I thought I should give it a go and see whether I enjoyed it.” He then added: “I’m not sure if I did.” During his show in the New Wimbledon Theatre, Murray said: “I had better not say any more as I can see Novak’s agents are in the audience.”After parting ways, Djokovic thanked Murray for joining his team, helping the 24-time Grand Slam winner reach the Australian Open semi-finals. The 38-year-old explained that Murray stepping aside ended up being a joint decision. To be the first to receive the latest Wimbledon news, join our WhatsApp community or Wimbledon newsletter "It was mutual. We both wanted to have a call and to speak, so we - actually, we both were on the same page,” Djokovic said. “So it was not, you know, his initiative or my initiative. It was both of us coming together and just saying, you know, I think we should stop here. That's what it was."

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Murray and Djokovic worked together for six months

As for his possible future as a pundit, Murray has few fond memories of his short spell working with the BBC. In 2018, he covered Rafael Nadal’s Wimbledon quarter-final victory over Juan Martín del Potro and summed up how he felt at the end of his shift: “Well, that was horrific.” Given that he only retired recently from playing, Murray was acutely aware of what his presence at Wimbledon could mean for other British stars at the tournament. In an interview with GQ last month, Murray explained his reluctance to move into the media and preference for coaching. "That’s why I'm much more interested in the idea of coaching, because I feel like I’d actually really be helping someone,” he said. “Whereas with punditry, it can be harmful. If I go and work at, let’s say Wimbledon, you start getting asked questions about British players like Jack Draper. I know when the British ex–tennis players would talk about my tennis and what I should be doing. Because you respect them, you listen to what they’re saying – but it’s not always the same as what your coach is telling you."

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