Andy Murray’s former coach reveals what changed about his game after he moved to Spain when he was young

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Andy Murray’s former coach issued a glowing assessment of the double Olympic champion ahead of his retirement.

Murray said the Olympics will be the final tournament of his illustrious career.

The Brit has been battling with multiple injuries over the last several years and even had metal inserted into his troublesome hip.

But after undergoing back surgery which prevented him from playing singles at Wimbledon for the final time, the three-time Grand Slam champion is now set to bid farewell from tennis.

What did Andy Murray’s former coach Alex Corretja say about him before his retirement?

Murray took to social media on Tuesday to announce the Paris Games would be his final tournament as a professional tennis player. “Arrived in Paris for my last ever tennis tournament @Olympics,” he said.

“Competing for Great Britain has been by far the most memorable weeks of my career and I’m extremely proud to get to do it one final time!”

Tributes poured in for the former World number one after confirming when his career will end, including former player turned analyst Alex Corretja.

The Spaniard used to coach Murray in his younger years and he told Eurosport what the player’s greatest qualities were.

“It was more difficult for Andy, as when you grow up you want someone to look up to,” Corretja said. “It was a great move to come to Spain as a teenager because he understood the work ethic needed, he realised he needed to become very strong physically.

“His game was a bit of a counter-puncher, but then from time to time he could be very aggressive on the court, he absolutely loved to run, he didn’t mind spending three or four hours on the court. He loved to work hard, physically he was unbelievable.”

How long did Alex Corretja coach Andy Murray for?

Corretja worked with Murray from 2008 to 2011. As mentioned above Murray travelled to Spain to work with him, which certainly helped enhance his game.

During their partnership Murray reached his first Grand Slam finals at the 2008 US Open and the 2010 and 2011 Australian Open.

In August 2009 he reached a career-high ranking at the time of World number two as he consistently challenged Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

Corretja certainly helped to elevate Murray’s game, and the year after they parted ways Murray teamed with Ivan Lendl who helped him achieve his dreams by winning Wimbledon, succeeding at the Olympics and becoming the World number one.