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Amélie Mauresmo has restored Andy Murray’s self-belief, says Marion Bartoli Andy Murray gets self-belief from Amélie Mauresmo, says Marion Bartoli
(about 2 hours later)
Marion Bartoli knows Amélie Mauresmo even better than Andy Murray does, and she sees nothing but good in what has been a groundbreaking partnership for the French coach and the world No3, who is embracing his new-found feminism with the zeal of a convert. Marion Bartoli knows Amélie Mauresmo even better than Andy Murray does and she sees nothing but good in what has been a groundbreaking partnership for the French coach and the world No3, who is embracing his new-found feminism with the zeal of a convert.
Not that there is a misogynous bone in Murray’s battle-hardened body. However, as he comes to terms with the very real prospect of having to do without Mauresmo – perhaps permanently after the birth of her first child in August – his world would seem to be moving into yet another phase.Not that there is a misogynous bone in Murray’s battle-hardened body. However, as he comes to terms with the very real prospect of having to do without Mauresmo – perhaps permanently after the birth of her first child in August – his world would seem to be moving into yet another phase.
Bartoli, good friends with Murray since they lifted the singles titles at Wimbledon two years ago, when Mauresmo coached her briefly, thinks her compatriot has renewed his sometimes wavering self-belief, but in her own quiet way. Bartoli, good friends with Murray since they lifted the singles titles at Wimbledon two years ago, when Mauresmo coached her briefly, thinks her compatriot has renewed his sometimes wavering self-belief but in her own quiet way.
“Last year, when they started together, I said, ‘For me it’s going to work. I don’t see why it shouldn’t.’ And I was right,” Bartoli says – content in her new fashion accessory business and working as a commentator on ITV since a catalogue of lingering injuries forced her retirement in 2013.“Last year, when they started together, I said, ‘For me it’s going to work. I don’t see why it shouldn’t.’ And I was right,” Bartoli says – content in her new fashion accessory business and working as a commentator on ITV since a catalogue of lingering injuries forced her retirement in 2013.
“People sometimes have very closed minds and they don’t think outside the box. They don’t think something different can work – that’s exactly what happened with Amélie and Andy. But some people just couldn’t imagine this could provide another way to train, another way to think about tennis, using other methods.“People sometimes have very closed minds and they don’t think outside the box. They don’t think something different can work – that’s exactly what happened with Amélie and Andy. But some people just couldn’t imagine this could provide another way to train, another way to think about tennis, using other methods.
“Andy’s a very clever person. If he thinks it’s good for him, I respect that. We say hello at tournaments. I saw him in Miami, where I was commentating, and we spoke for about 10 minutes about his wedding and that. But I don’t feel it’s my role to advise him. Tennis is an individual sport. It depends very much on your own decisions, based on what you live every day, how you play, what you think you need. If you receive too much advice, it can confuse you. You can’t think straight at the end of the day.”“Andy’s a very clever person. If he thinks it’s good for him, I respect that. We say hello at tournaments. I saw him in Miami, where I was commentating, and we spoke for about 10 minutes about his wedding and that. But I don’t feel it’s my role to advise him. Tennis is an individual sport. It depends very much on your own decisions, based on what you live every day, how you play, what you think you need. If you receive too much advice, it can confuse you. You can’t think straight at the end of the day.”
Bartoli did not have an all-smiling relationship with the French Tennis Federation and was out of the Fed Cup team for nine years, but she always admired Mauresmo and signed her as her personal coach after she split from her father, Walter, at the start of her final season, 2013. Bartoli did not have an all-smiling relationship with the French Tennis Federation and was out of the Fed Cup team for nine years, but she always admired Mauresmo and signed her as her personal coach after splitting from her father, Walter, at the start of her final season, 2013.
“All I can tell you is what she brought me. From what Andy says, I can feel a little bit the same: she is very good at giving you confidence. She is very clear in her message. She doesn’t say too much, but it’s go-to-the-point type of speaking. She tells you what she thinks you should do; it’s never ‘You have to do this’, it’s ‘I think you should play like this’. “All I can tell you is what she brought me. From what Andy says I can feel a little bit the same: she is very good at giving you confidence. She is very clear in her message. She doesn’t say too much but it’s go-to-the-point type of speaking. She tells you what she thinks you should do. It’s never ‘You have to do this’; it’s ‘I think you should play like this’.
“She would say to me, ‘I think you should stay inside the court, try to cut the trajectory [of the ball], try to be aggressive on your return of serve. They are your strengths.’ But it’s never, ‘You have to’ – so you feel that you can be a little bit free, and it gives you good direction. When you see that it works, it gives you confidence – so you trust her. Also, Amélie’s been through very tough situations on the court, and she was very stressed herself. “She would say to me, ‘I think you should stay inside the court, try to cut the trajectory [of the ball], try to be aggressive on your return of serve. They are your strengths.’ But it’s never, ‘You have to’ – so you feel that you can be a little bit free and it gives you good direction. When you see that it works, it gives you confidence – so you trust her. Also, Amélie’s been through very tough situations on the court and she was very stressed herself.
“For example, when I would break someone and could not hold my [next] serve – like against Sloane Stephens – she didn’t show any sign of disappointment. She knows it’s difficult – and she knows that sometimes your opponent is on fire that day, and there’s nothing much you can do about that. “For example, when I would break someone and could not hold my [next] serve – like against Sloane Stephens – she didn’t show any sign of disappointment. She knows it’s difficult – and she knows that sometimes your opponent is on fire that day and there’s nothing much you can do about that.
“Andy’s attitude on the court sometimes has been a little bit wonky, but he has been able to channel that now. Even on clay – like when he beat Rafa in Madrid – he has obviously learned to be more calm. He said in his press conference, ’I’m not afraid any more to play against the top 10 on clay. I can win these matches.’ And that for me is the result of the way he is feeling and playing on court and how Amélie is influencing him. “Andy’s attitude on the court sometimes has been a little bit wonky but he has been able to channel that now. Even on clay – like when he beat Rafa in Madrid – he has obviously learned to be more calm. He said in his press conference, ‘I’m not afraid any more to play against the top 10 on clay. I can win these matches.’ And that for me is the result of the way he is feeling and playing on court and how Amélie is influencing him.
“He is holding himself together, not like he used to be. It’s now like when he was winning big titles. He’s getting that back again. And it’s not like he’s starting from scratch – with two grand slams and a gold medal. But I think because of his injury he was a little bit down. He has found himself again.“He is holding himself together, not like he used to be. It’s now like when he was winning big titles. He’s getting that back again. And it’s not like he’s starting from scratch – with two grand slams and a gold medal. But I think because of his injury he was a little bit down. He has found himself again.
“As a player, when you find that again, it’s very rewarding, the best feeling in the world, and you don’t want to lose that. You not only feel you belong at that level but that you’re going to win, because you’re so confident about what you do.” “As a player, when you find that again, it’s very rewarding, the best feeling in the world, and you don’t want to lose that. You not only feel you belong at that level but that you’re going to win because you’re so confident about what you do.”
But for all the harmony that obviously exists in the Murray camp, Bartoli recognises the tensions and anxieties at the top of the game, especially those that simmer between her friend, Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova, who is, well, not her friend at all. But, for all the harmony that obviously exists in the Murray camp, Bartoli recognises the tensions and anxieties at the top of the game, especially those that simmer between her friend, Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova, who is, well, not her friend at all.
They again look to be the main contenders for the title here, with the Russian coming off an excellent win in Rome and Williams harnessing her powers after withdrawing early to protect a sore elbow – which Bartoli says has healed satisfactorily. But the wounds Williams and Sharapova have inflicted on each other over the years will never properly be soothed.They again look to be the main contenders for the title here, with the Russian coming off an excellent win in Rome and Williams harnessing her powers after withdrawing early to protect a sore elbow – which Bartoli says has healed satisfactorily. But the wounds Williams and Sharapova have inflicted on each other over the years will never properly be soothed.
Their unsubtle digs about each other’s boyfriends erupted in an ugly spat at Wimbledon a couple of years ago and remains at the heart of their animosity.Their unsubtle digs about each other’s boyfriends erupted in an ugly spat at Wimbledon a couple of years ago and remains at the heart of their animosity.
“Serena is my friend. We were together four days ago in the south of France, did selfies, playing with her dog, chatting away. She’s had an apartment in Paris for about 10 years. We get along very well – and we have the same star sign, very balanced, Libra,” she says, laughing.“Serena is my friend. We were together four days ago in the south of France, did selfies, playing with her dog, chatting away. She’s had an apartment in Paris for about 10 years. We get along very well – and we have the same star sign, very balanced, Libra,” she says, laughing.
“Maria is a lot colder. She doesn’t speak to me, but she doesn’t speak to many people generally. She feels she is not in tennis to make friends. She has friends away from the court she feels comfortable with. And she doesn’t want to change that in any way. “Maria is a lot colder. She doesn’t speak to me but she doesn’t speak to many people generally. She feels she is not in tennis to make friends. She has friends away from the court she feels comfortable with. And she doesn’t want to change that in any way.
“Again, I’m not saying anyone should have to behave like this or that. I respect everyone. If it is the way it works for her, it’s the way it works. Maybe it’s the way she feels she has to protect herself, maybe she feels it’s the way she can perform at her best. I don’t know. “Again, I’m not saying anyone should have to behave like this or that. I respect everyone. If it is the way it works for her, it’s the way it works. Maybe it’s the way she feels she has to protect herself. Maybe she feels it’s the way she can perform at her best. I don’t know.
“Serena isn’t like that. She is extremely intense on the court. She is there to win, don’t get me wrong. But when it’s over, it’s over. When she plays against Caroline [Wozniacki, one of her closest friends in the game] or when she played against me, let me tell you she doesn’t give you any presents. Nor did we. We are all there to win. But when it is finished, we could have a laugh.“Serena isn’t like that. She is extremely intense on the court. She is there to win, don’t get me wrong. But when it’s over, it’s over. When she plays against Caroline [Wozniacki, one of her closest friends in the game] or when she played against me, let me tell you she doesn’t give you any presents. Nor did we. We are all there to win. But when it is finished, we could have a laugh.
“If everyone was the same, life would be pretty dull. It’s a little bit like John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl. It’s what makes tennis more interesting – for the press, for the public. You have two completely different people away from the court but you have the same personality on the court. For me, that’s what is important because when they play, they really bring out the best in each other. Their matches are really intense, and that’s why the crowd love it.” “If everyone was the same, life would be pretty dull. It’s a little bit like John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl. It’s what makes tennis more interesting – for the press, for the public. You have two completely different people away from the court but you have the same personality on the court. For me, that’s what is important because, when they play, they really bring out the best in each other. Their matches are really intense and that’s why the crowd love it.”
As for British hopes elsewhere, Bartoli has a lot of time for Heather Watson but is as puzzled as everyone else by the continued absence of Laura Robson.As for British hopes elsewhere, Bartoli has a lot of time for Heather Watson but is as puzzled as everyone else by the continued absence of Laura Robson.
“Heather has bounced back really well from her illness, to get a really good ranking. It’s always about how she can bring more weapons. She does everything well but nothing stands out. When you look at all the top 10, they all have something extra, something special. Heather should keep being extremely steady, but try to add a little bit of power on every shot, a little bit more on serve, a little bit more on the backhand. “Heather has bounced back really well from her illness, to get a really good ranking. It’s always about how she can bring more weapons. She does everything well but nothing stands out. When you look at all the top 10, they all have something extra, something special. Heather should keep being extremely steady but try to add a little bit of power on every shot, a little bit more on serve, a little bit more on the backhand.
“That would make life a lot easier for her in a grand slam, being able to get past the second round. When you’re not seeded, you’re always cursing the coin, hoping you’re not going to draw a seed. It’s difficult. I was really impressed with the way she played in Rome. I saw her play in Miami as well. She’s really improving, and she’s still young. “That would make life a lot easier for her in a grand slam, being able to get past the second round. When you’re not seeded, you’re always cursing the coin, hoping you’re not going to draw a seed. It’s difficult. I was really impressed with the way she played in Rome. I saw her play in Miami as well. She’s really improving and she’s still young.
“I’m a little bit disappointed not to see Laura Robson playing. I had wrist and shoulder injuries towards the end of my career. It’s very frustrating.”“I’m a little bit disappointed not to see Laura Robson playing. I had wrist and shoulder injuries towards the end of my career. It’s very frustrating.”
It comes as no surprise she tips Williams to win the women’s title and gives Murray at least a good chance in the men’s draw, but settles on the obvious favourite, Novak Djokovic. “If Andy is playing well, Andy and Novak in the semis is going to be interesting. And you can never count out Rafa.” It comes as no surprise she tips Williams to win the women’s title and gives Murray at least a good chance in the men’s draw but settles on the obvious favourite, Novak Djokovic. “If Andy is playing well, Andy and Novak in the semis is going to be interesting. And you can never count out Rafa.”