JAMIE MURRAY admits he was kept in the dark about brother Andy’s secret coaching pact with Jack Draper.
Yet the retired doubles star reckons his younger sibling is the best qualified person to negotiate Draper’s path to Wimbledon amid the UK’s annual tennis fever.
On Tuesday, it was announced that two-time Wimbledon singles champion Murray, 38, would be part of Draper’s staff for the five-week grass-court season.
Draper – who is not playing at the French Open in Paris due to injury – hopes that the wisdom and knowledge of the Scotsman will give him an edge in SW19.
Jamie, 40, was working for Sky Sports, commentating on the Italian Open, when word filtered through that his little bro was in charge, in tandem with the LTA, as ex-coach Jamie Delgado was jettisoned.
The seven-time Grand Slam doubles winner knew the pair had met recently but thought it was to pass on advice rather than to formalise a coaching partnership.
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Jamie said: “I mean it was news for me as well.
“I knew they met the other day but I thought that was more maybe talking about his injuries and trying to get back on the court and stay fit.
“I don’t know the situation with Jamie Delgado. It seems like he is no longer going to be part of the team, which I am sure is disappointing for him.
“He was there for six months and Jack has hardly hit a ball.
“I guess Andy has got the bag for the grass-court season and yeah, we will see what happens.
“First and foremost for Jack, he obviously needs to get fit and get himself back on the court and competing.
“He has a few weeks to prepare himself for the grass-court, get his body right and at Queen’s, it’s all systems go really.”
The first time they are together could be at the Stuttgart Open, which starts the day after the French Open has concluded.
The elder Murray brother – a Davis Cup champion in 2015 – is the tournament director of the ATP Queen’s tournament.
And he will watch with interest as Draper, 24, marks his return to the Tour next month after a stop-start injury-hit nine-month period.
Asked what Andy will bring to Draper’s camp, Jamie said: “That’s a good question. Obviously experience, I guess.
“Experience of what it takes to prepare yourself for these events and understanding what it takes to win these events and also the pressure.
“There’s no one better qualified to understand what Jack will be going through (as a top British player).
“It’s an exciting appointment. Jamie Delgado is a really good friend of mine, so for me it’s a bit all over the place.
“But ultimately Jack is going to do what he thinks is best for his career and we hope it works out.”
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