Tim Henman reveals he advised Andy Murray to take some time away from tennis after retiring but the former two-time Wimbledon champion didn't really listen to that and returned as a coach.
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In late November, the tennis community was left stunned after Novak Djokovic announced his former rival would be a part of his team at the Australian Open.
While Murray hinted a few months earlier that he would be open to one day becoming a coach, no one expected him to get back into the game just three months after ending his pro career.
"My advice to Andy, when I was asked about it, was take your time. So he obviously didn't listen to that," Henman said.
I played a bit of golf with him at the end of last year, and he seemed so content and he was loving his golf and being at home with his wife and his kids.
And so I didn't see it coming, and I don't necessarily think he saw it coming either. It was a bit of a call out of the blue.
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Henman: It was fun to watch Murray being nervous courtside and coaching Djokovic
In their debut as a player/coach duo, the two did pretty well as the Serb beat Carlos Alcaraz and reached the Australian Open semifinal before being forced to retire injured against Alexander Zverev.
Now, the question remains whether the two will continue as partners.
Reflecting on Murray's decision, Henman noted that it is easier for someone in Murray's position to accept a coaching role because working with a top player gives you a chance to be more selective where you want to go - and with a young player - that wouldn't be the case because the Briton would probably have to commit working full-time.
"But I think for all of us that were involved in Australia, it was another fascinating element and to see Andy courtside looking pretty nervous and to see how calm he was, I thought it was fun to watch," Henman added.
