Gilbert reveals Murray clashes

Murray: Arguments

Also see

• US Open results
• Order of play
• Tennis on Sky
• US Open history

Brad Gilbert has admitted that his working relationship with Andy Murray became strained because of the Scot's "argumentative" streak.

However, the American coach says the pair remain on speaking terms and he has tipped Murray, the world number six, to go on to even greater heights.

The Lawn Tennis Association employed Gilbert to take the Scot to the next level but Murray eventually made the decision to dispense with his services before the end of the LTA contract.

"The day before I started coaching Murray, I didn't know him at all," Gilbert told The Guardian.

"There was a big age difference and a culture difference.

"Andy is very argumentative if he feels strongly about something. A lot of people in his team gave in to him. I didn't so we would argue, about sports mostly.

Focused

"He lives a quiet, relaxed life, focused on being a tennis player but he is obsessed with video games. I don't play video games," he added.

But despite conceding the problems which existed in his dealings, Gilbert has enjoyed Murray's surge into the top six of the world rankings and believes he has the ability to become a first-class player.

"People expect me to be bitter but I'm not. Look around and you'll see how many coaches get fired.

"We still speak. He is now doing a lot of things I was asking him to do, like being much more aggressive and stop hitting so many damn drop shots.

"If he plays more like that then great things are going to happen to him because he has great talent."