A dream private coaching session from Andy Murray will become a reality for one tennis fan after top players signed up to an initiative raising funds for professional coaches who are struggling financially during the COVID-19 shutdown.
Tennis star Andy Murray is a new Covid hero
The coronavirus shutdown of tennis has not only prevented players from earning a living since early March but also the vast majority of those who coach them.
Also Read: Headache for Australian Open Tennis 2021, ‘no insurance cover for pandemic’
That prompted Venezuelan Daniel Vallverdu, who has worked with Grand Slam winners like Murray, Stan Wawrinka and Juan Martin Del Potro, to reach out to other top coaches with a fundraising plan to help out their lesser-known peers.
The ATP Tour got on board and last month fans were able to bid for private sessions with celebrated tennis coaches on-site during tournaments in 2021.
An emotional Andy Murray has revealed the “severely damaged right hip” which has forced him into premature retirement has left him struggling with simple tasks like putting shoes and socks on.
Murray broke down in tears here on Friday as he announced that next week’s Australian Open could be the last tournament of his career. The former world No 1 said that the pain was so great that it was time for him to retire.