Murray unveils Cowan as new coach
By Nigel Graber for MurraysWorld.com on April 01, 2011, 07:34 am
Update: Yep, it was an April Fools. Thanks to Judy Murray for Tweeting about it. - Ed
Andy Murray has ended all speculation over his future coach, with Barry Cowan set to be unveiled at a hastily arranged press conference at Miami's Crandon Park at 11am EST.
Today's announcement will put to an end rumours of exotic liaisons with some of the game's great luminaries, such as Ivan Lendl and Jimmy Connors, who had both been quick to put their names into the frame.
Cowan, 36, best known for taking Pete Sampras to five sets at the 2001 Wimbledon Championships, will start work immediately alongside the other members of Team Murray – fitness trainer Jez Green, conditioning coach Matt Little, physio Andy Ireland and hitting partner Dani Vallverdu.
Since retiring from the game in 2002, the year after he took Sampras to five sets, Cowan has forged a remarkable career as a TV commentator and pundit, working in the Sky Sports studios alongside former pros Peter Fleming, Mark Petchey, Greg Rusedski and Annabel Croft.
Cowan is known to be a big believer in the psychological side of the game, an approach he's widely expected to explore with Murray.
"When I took Sampras to five close sets at Wimbledon that time, I sought the help of a psychologist before the match," says Cowan. "I was advised to listen to You'll Never Walk Alone during the changeovers, while mentally substituting the lyrics You'll Never Play Him Again. Five tight sets. It was boss, like."
Although Murray has publicly welcomed the new appointment, friends say that yesterday's attempts to fashion a crude but workable noose from his shoelaces could indicate doubt.
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Andy Murray has ended all speculation over his future coach, with Barry Cowan set to be unveiled at a hastily arranged press conference at Miami's Crandon Park at 11am EST.
Today's announcement will put to an end rumours of exotic liaisons with some of the game's great luminaries, such as Ivan Lendl and Jimmy Connors, who had both been quick to put their names into the frame.
Cowan, 36, best known for taking Pete Sampras to five sets at the 2001 Wimbledon Championships, will start work immediately alongside the other members of Team Murray – fitness trainer Jez Green, conditioning coach Matt Little, physio Andy Ireland and hitting partner Dani Vallverdu.
Since retiring from the game in 2002, the year after he took Sampras to five sets, Cowan has forged a remarkable career as a TV commentator and pundit, working in the Sky Sports studios alongside former pros Peter Fleming, Mark Petchey, Greg Rusedski and Annabel Croft.
Cowan is known to be a big believer in the psychological side of the game, an approach he's widely expected to explore with Murray.
"When I took Sampras to five close sets at Wimbledon that time, I sought the help of a psychologist before the match," says Cowan. "I was advised to listen to You'll Never Walk Alone during the changeovers, while mentally substituting the lyrics You'll Never Play Him Again. Five tight sets. It was boss, like."
Although Murray has publicly welcomed the new appointment, friends say that yesterday's attempts to fashion a crude but workable noose from his shoelaces could indicate dissatisfaction.
Is that all he's famous for? Taking a great player to 5 sets in a game which I assume he lost? Is he going to be any good Nigel?
Today's announcement will put to an end rumours of exotic liaisons with some of the game's great luminaries, such as Ivan Lendl and Jimmy Connors, who had both been quick to put their names into the frame.
Cowan, 36, best known for taking Pete Sampras to five sets at the 2001 Wimbledon Championships, will start work immediately alongside the other members of Team Murray – fitness trainer Jez Green, conditioning coach Matt Little, physio Andy Ireland and hitting partner Dani Vallverdu.
Since retiring from the game in 2002, the year after he took Sampras to five sets, Cowan has forged a remarkable career as a TV commentator and pundit, working in the Sky Sports studios alongside former pros Peter Fleming, Mark Petchey, Greg Rusedski and Annabel Croft.
Cowan is known to be a big believer in the psychological side of the game, an approach he's widely expected to explore with Murray.
"When I took Sampras to five close sets at Wimbledon that time, I sought the help of a psychologist before the match," says Cowan. "I was advised to listen to You'll Never Walk Alone during the changeovers, while mentally substituting the lyrics You'll Never Play Him Again. Five tight sets. It was boss, like."
Although Murray has publicly welcomed the new appointment, friends say that yesterday's attempts to fashion a crude but workable noose from his shoelaces could indicate dissatisfaction.
April 01, 2011, 07:43 am
By Caz
By Caz
Is that all he's famous for? Taking a great player to 5 sets in a game which I assume he lost? Is he going to be any good Nigel?
Personally, I have my doubts. So does Murray, but his mum's all for it, which is the key factor.
April 01, 2011, 07:44 am
By Grabcopy
By Grabcopy
Nice try, Nigel. 
April 01, 2011, 08:02 am
By Clydey
By Clydey
The ideal coach for Andy for sure, can't see any problems there. 
April 01, 2011, 08:05 am
By Katie
By Katie
After choking on my coffee I remembered what day it was!! Good one guys!!!
April 01, 2011, 08:06 am
By Mollym
By Mollym
"When I took Sampras to five close sets at Wimbledon that time, I sought the help of a psychologist before the match," says Cowan. "I was advised to listen to You'll Never Walk Alone during the changeovers, while mentally substituting the lyrics You'll Never Play Him Again. Five tight sets. It was boss, like."
So, we're going to see Murray with an earpiece between sets instead of reading a book a la Jim Courier ...
April 01, 2011, 08:06 am
By Daisy
By Daisy
Dunno about this. Ladbrokes are already offering good odds that it won't last.
April 01, 2011, 08:08 am
By matchpoint
By matchpoint
Epic. Nice one, Nigel.
April 01, 2011, 08:12 am
By boogers
By boogers
Delicious! A real smiley! 'Sposing it's true? 
April 01, 2011, 08:25 am
By janscribe
By janscribe
LOL....Barry Cowan just came in his pants....
April 01, 2011, 08:30 am
By scotsgeek28
By scotsgeek28
Personally, I have my doubts. So does Murray, but his mum's all for it, which is the key factor.
Oh you b..........ad boy! Smack!!!
April 01, 2011, 08:36 am
By Caz
By Caz
Brilliant article. Nearly fell over when I read it - Hope Andy doesn't make an announcement today then we wouldn't know whether to believe it 
then we wouldn't know whether to believe it
April 01, 2011, 09:05 am
By Lucky Loser
By Lucky Loser
Almost got me going for a minute there! 
APRIL FOOLS!! nice one.
APRIL FOOLS!! nice one.
April 01, 2011, 09:05 am
By psychological tennis
By psychological tennis
Disappointed with Murray's decision, would have much preferred Andrew Castle.
April 01, 2011, 09:05 am
By Mark
By Mark
Absolute crass stupidity!!! From a nothing coach to an absolute nothing plus coach. What in the name of Hell was Andy thinking of?
Mummy Judy continues to rule the roost. No wonder Daddy Will went his own way.
If this is Judy's decision, then Andy has finally put to bed any dream he had of being a Slam winner. I hope that it is just a joke rumour without foundation.
Mummy Judy continues to rule the roost. No wonder Daddy Will went his own way.
If this is Judy's decision, then Andy has finally put to bed any dream he had of being a Slam winner. I hope that it is just a joke rumour without foundation.
April 01, 2011, 09:11 am
By OldScotSupport
By OldScotSupport
Absolute crass stupidity!!! From a nothing coach to an absolute nothing plus coach. What in the name of Hell was Andy thinking of?
Mummy Judy continues to rule the roost. No wonder Daddy Will went his own way.
If this is Judy's decision, then Andy has finally put to bed any dream he had of being a Slam winner. I hope that it is just a joke rumour without foundation.
Mummy Judy continues to rule the roost. No wonder Daddy Will went his own way.
If this is Judy's decision, then Andy has finally put to bed any dream he had of being a Slam winner. I hope that it is just a joke rumour without foundation.
April 01, 2011, 09:11 am
By Mark
By Mark
hehe! I nearly dropped my coffee all over my keyboard. You had me good there !!!
April 01, 2011, 09:28 am
By NoMug
By NoMug
I wanted Mr. Wilander 
April 01, 2011, 09:37 am
By Lurking
By Lurking
I wanted Rob H ,he if we are to believe would sort Andy out both physically and mentally!
April 01, 2011, 09:41 am
By michelle
By michelle
I wanted Mr. Wilander
LURKING ... is that really you? With a sense of humour
April 01, 2011, 09:41 am
By Daisy
By Daisy