The perfect player for Andy Murray to coach is emerging on the ATP Tour and he could take him to the next level

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Andy Murray’s first foray into coaching didn’t last long, although that likely won’t discourage the Briton.

Ahead of the 2025 season, Murray joined Novak Djokovic’s team as the Serb continued his search for a 25th Grand Slam.

The pair were unsuccessful together, as strong performances at the Australian Open (SF) and the Miami Open (F) were overshadowed by first-round exits in Qatar, Indian Wells, Monte-Carlo, and Madrid.

Ahead of the French Open, Murray and Djokovic split, as the three-time Grand Slam winners’ first stint as a coach lasted just five months.

He may not have to wait too long for a return to coaching, however, as the perfect player for Murray to coach continues to impress on the ATP Tour.

Why Joao Fonseca would be the perfect player for Andy Murray to coach

During a recent interview, Murray revealed his future coaching plans, as he described the type of player he’d like to work with.

“I think I would probably enjoy working with a younger player and trying to influence them from a younger age,” he said.

“I think I would coach again in the future, I am just not sure if that will be in the immediate future.”

If Murray were to make an ‘immediate’ return, who better to coach than Brazilian 18-year-old Joao Fonseca?

The Briton could join Fonseca’s coaching staff, which includes Franco Davin and Guilherme Teixeira.

Murray has been open about the struggles he had with the technical side of coaching while working with Djokovic, and joining two more experienced coaches could provide the perfect solution to that problem.

Fonseca has enjoyed a sensational breakout year in 2025, and is now ranked inside the world’s top 50, following back-to-back third-round appearances at the French Open and Wimbledon.

Working alongside someone like Murray, a three-time Grand Slam winner, would no doubt prove valuable for Fonseca.

After all, Fonseca is about to encounter the same issue Murray struggled with throughout his career.

During Murray’s prime years, he was tasked with snapping the dominant streak of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic.

Doing so on three occasions, Murray became one of two players (alongside Stan Wawrinka) to win multiple Grand Slam titles during the era of the ‘big three’.

Fonseca faces a similar problem today as he looks to break through and win his maiden Grand Slam title.

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have won the previous seven major tournaments and seem unbeatable at the sport’s four biggest events.

Finding a way to win a Grand Slam during the ‘new two’ era won’t be easy, but with Murray guiding him, Fonseca may just have a chance.

A partnership between Murray and Fonseca makes a lot of sense from the outside, but what has the Briton said about the Brazilian previously?

Andy Murray’s previous comments about Joao Fonseca

Earlier this year, Murray named the Grand Slam winner he wants to see Fonseca play, as he watched the 18-year-old qualify for his first tour-level final in Buenos Aires.

“Can’t wait for the first [Joao] Fonseca vs [Carlos] Alcaraz match,” he said on X.

Tuning in to another of Fonseca’s matches, in Miami, Murray described Fonseca as an ‘amazing talent’.

“Fonseca and [Learner] Tien are amazing talents. Tennis isn’t broken after all,” he said.

Murray was reacting to Fonseca’s thrilling three-set win over Learner Tien in the first round of this year’s Miami Open, as two of the brightest talents in tennis battled it out in Florida.

Fonseca emerged victorious against Tien on that occasion, cementing his status as the top youngster on tour.

Whether he can take the next step and become a top-20 or top-10 player remains to be seen, but it will certainly be something to look out for as the season progresses.

Fonseca is scheduled to return to action at the Canadian Open, which begins on Monday, July 28.