Rising Scot Jacob Fearnley reveals he used to idolize Andy Murray and admits he would have nothing against the former three-time Grand Slam champion joining his team as coach or mentior.
Currently, the 23-year-old is enjoying a career-high ranking of No. 98 in the world. But just four months ago, he was ranked at No. 525 in the world. Since then, Fearnley has enjoyed a lot of success on the Challenger Tour, winning titles in Nottingham, Lincoln, Rennes and Orleans.
Also, it should be noted that he clinched his first Wimbledon win during this past summer – and won a set against Novak Djokovic in the second round – before losing to the seven-time Wimbledon champion in the second round.
If you are asking yourself where Fearnley was before, he played college tennis and he has been regularly competing on the Tour only for the last couple of months.
“I really want to meet him (Murray). Growing up he was a big inspiration and he was the figure who I watched the most. What he has achieved for himself and his country has been amazing, the way he fights on the court and the way he plays has been special to watch. Any tennis player growing up in the UK, and especially Scotland, he is someone we all aspire to be. Hopefully I can follow in his footsteps but I know it is a very hard task,” the 23-year-old Scot told Sky Sports.
Jacob Fearnley© Jacob Fearnley/Instagram – Fair Use
Fearnley to Murray: I wouldn’t say no to you
While the Scot was making some noise on the Challenger, Murray was preparing for his retirement – which came at the Paris Olympics. Before the Olympics, the former world No. 1 indicated at Wimbledon that he was open to the possibility of becoming coach one day.
Considering that Fearnley – who currently works with Mark Hilton – seems like someone who could be the next big thing from Scotland, he was naturally asked about the prospect of working with the greatest tennis player ever from his country.
“Right now I’m very happy with the coaching I have. But, if he wants to give me advice and help me in any way, I would definitely not say no,” Fearnley noted.