Andy Murray criticizes TNT Sports coverage of Learner Tien
Andy Murray sent a text message to TNT Sports presenter Laura Robson during his viewing of the Australian Open, voicing concern that the broadcast team had not provided adequate coverage of rising star Learner Tien, reports BritPanorama.
American teenager Tien, seeded 25th in Melbourne, advanced to the third round with a decisive victory over Alexander Shevchenko, winning the match 6-2, 5-7, 6-1, 6-0.
Murray, who concluded his professional career in 2024, remains a keen observer of tennis and was evidently impressed by Tien’s performance, believing the young player deserved increased recognition from the punditry panel.
During Wednesday’s TNT Sports broadcast, Robson revealed Murray’s input, stating: “He [Learner Tien] has got some big fans because I have a text from Andy Murray who was watching and mentioned that we weren’t speaking enough about Learner Tien.”
John McEnroe, who was part of the coverage team, responded promptly to Murray’s critique, inviting him to visit: “Come on down and visit.”
This exchange has sparked ongoing speculation about whether the three-time Grand Slam winner may eventually transition into television punditry.
Since retiring, the four-time Grand Slam champion has taken a step back from tennis-related roles, with the exception of a brief collaboration with former rival Novak Djokovic in his coaching setup.
While Murray has sidestepped formal positions within the sport, his name has been mentioned in connection with the BBC’s exploration of refreshing its Wimbledon coverage, though he has yet to take up any broadcasting roles.
Robson has encouraged Murray to consider a broadcasting career and frequently prompts him about joining the commentary team: “Every time I see him, I’m like: ‘When are you coming on?'”
Robson believes Murray would excel in an analyst role, noting that he feels men’s matches are too lengthy for commentary, suggesting women’s matches might be a better fit for his debut.
Ultimately, whether Murray takes the plunge into punditry remains to be seen, but the ongoing dialogue around his potential role hints at the enduring connection between former champions and the evolving landscape of tennis broadcasting.
