Coco Gauff has already made her feelings clear about Andy Murray’s impact on tennis as she ponders her next coach. The American, 20, has split from legendary coach Brad Gilbert after failing to defend her US Open title.

Gilbert wished Gauff well for the future as he confirmed on X that the pair had parted ways after working together for 14 months. Numerous high-profile names have already been linked with Gauff since the news was confirmed. Murray hasn’t been mentioned but the multiple grand slam champion recently brought the curtain down on his illustrious career and could yet stay in the sport.

The two-time Wimbledon champion has been tipped by many to go into coaching and Gauff has huge respect for the 37-year-old and his mum Judy, who have both championed equality in the sport. Speaking about Murray during this year’s Wimbledon, Gauff said: “I just watched a video about him correcting reporters on statistics. It’s something that, as a female player, you’ll see a lot where people will be like ‘this guy was the first player to do this’.

“And it’s like ‘well, Serena and Venus did it’ or another player did it ages ago. Or like the first American and I’m like ‘I did it, Jess [Pegula] did it’.I really appreciate him. Not only him, also his mother for everything they’ve done for equality for women’s sports.”

She also praised his battling qualities, adding: “I think his legacy is that he’s just a fighter. The most inspiration I have for him is no matter what court he’s playing, whether it’s Centre Court here or an ITF [event], he’s putting 100% effort into that. He’s an icon of the sport and he’s had an incredible career that a lot of people dream of.”

Her comments suggest she’d be open to working with Murray if the scenario ever presented itself. Laura Robson, who won Olympic silver in the mixed doubles with Murray at London 2012, is among the tennis figures to tip the Scot for a career in coaching and revealed he has entertained the idea of coaching. Recalling their private chat, she told the Metro: “Andy would be a great coach to anyone, I’ve said this to him over the last couple weeks when I have seen him: You would be amazing!

“He’s got such an analytical mind. He loves the technique and the tactics and all the minor details you can do in tennis to improve by 1%. He’d be great at working with anyone. I know he has been helping some of the junior guys.

“He invited them to some practice sessions and he had some time in Greece with them before the Olympics. I think in a way he would prefer a junior, because then it’s a fresh challenge.”

Katie Boulter also believes Murray will stay in the sport, potentially in a coaching capacity. Prior to Murray’s swansong at the Paris Olympics, she said: “He has been such an asset to British tennis. In some format, he is going to be around.

“I know he is not going to completely disappear off this planet. I am sure of it. He has such a passion for the game, he speaks so fondly of it. I cannot see him letting it go.”

Back in 2022, Murray seemed to admit that he would be open to moving into coaching after naming which players he would most like to work with. He told the Tennis Channel: “Female player – Emma Raducanu. Male player – between [Carlos] Alcaraz, [Stefanos] Tsitsipas and [Jack] Draper.”

During his run to the US Open final, Draper said he would love to pick Murray’s brain, although he was reluctant to interrupt his downtime post-retirement, which has included a spot of golf. Draper said: “I feel like he would completely understand and respond to any messages I send him and would give me advice, but I think also at the same time I think he’s kind of enjoying his retirement now, and he’s kind of done with it.

“I know if I have any questions or if I’m feeling something, then he’ll be the first person I text. I know that he’d be there for me if I need him.”