Tennis
Murray: I feel a lot of freedom
2010-08-18 10:31
Ohio - Britain's Andy Murray feels a rare sense of freedom heading into his Wednesday start at the ATP Cincinnati Masters after winning his second consecutive trophy last week in Toronto.
There is no hurry for Murray about finding a new coach either, with the fourth-ranked Scotsman delaying any though on that big decision until after he's done at the US Open next month.
In fact, he admits it's sometime better on his own after splitting with coaches Miles Maclagan and Alex Corretja in July.
"I feel a lot of freedom," Murray said on Tuesday. "I've only been a few weeks on my own. But I played some of my best tennis last week, I don't know if it's from not having a coach or not. But I know I've improved since Wimbledon."
Murray, who defeated world number one Rafael Nadal in the Toronto semi-finals and Swiss world number two Roger Federer in the final, is serious about getting it right when he does start to consider his next mentor.
"I won't have a coach at the US Open. After that I'll have a break to sit down and think about it," Murray said.
"I don't want to rush into choosing anyone. It's a big decision. You spend a lot of time with a coach and you want that relationship to last as long as possible. I need to think long and hard."
"In some ways it's nice not to have a coach for a while. I have more responsibility to figure out a few things by myself on court.
"But there is a lot more freedom in some ways. After having a coach for two or three years, it's nice to be on your own."
Murray, who won six titles in 2009 but only claimed his first of this season in Toronto, will open at Cincinnati against Frenchman Jeremy Chardy, who beat Germany's Florian Mayer 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) in the first round.
Murray said his form could not be better going into his final tournament tuneup prior to the New York start a week from next Monday.
"I feel good and that's the most important thing," Murray said. "I want to continue my work from last week, if I can do that I'll be pleased. Toronto shows that things are going in the right direction.
"I certainly don't want to lose, but I'll feel confident for the Open even if things don't go as far as I'd like here this week."