Leo Azevedo: In Scotland, we try to find the next Andy Murray
Opening later in August this year at the University of Stirling, GB National Tennis Academy head Coach Leo Azevedo is upbeat about finding the next Andy Murray in Scotland.
Though he knows that finding the next Murray will be difficult, but using the former world No 1’s legacy will surely add more firepower to his search for the next superstar. “Few reach that level,” Azevedo said.
“The nature of people is to try to find the next big thing. In America they try to find the next Michael Jordan and in Scotland they try to find the next Andy Murray.”
He further added, “We can use Andy’s legacy to have more players in Scotland and more professional players in Scotland in the world rankings.”
“If one day another Andy Murray comes, I’ll be more than happy.”
What is Azevedo exactly looking for when it comes to looking for the next Murray?
“My experience makes me understand why the likes of Ferrero and Murray are who they are,” he assessed. “Ferrero is a very humble guy, very coachable, I always tell him that after I had the chance to work with you it was pretty hard to work with someone else.
“You kind of assume that because other players aren’t as good a tennis player, they would at least listen more. But in fact they didn’t. My philosophy is that without hard work you don’t get anywhere. I am also a believer that the better person you are, the better chance you have to become a better player.”
He ended by saying, “It is important you have values –important for the programme, for the relationship between coach and player. Work ethic, respect, always be on time. These things are very easy to do, but not everybody does.”
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2HuYBid
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