Wednesday 17 December 2014 17:05, UK
Tomas Berdych has hired one of Andy Murray’s former coaches to spearhead his challenge in 2015.
The world No 7 has brought in Danny Vallverdu who worked with Murray for four years and was with the Scot when he claimed his two Grand Slam titles and also his Olympic gold medal in 2012.
The 28-year-old Vallverdu met Murray at the Sanchez-Casal Academy in Barcelona when both were teenagers but did not join his friend on the tennis circuit but chose to attend the University of Miami to pursue academic studies.
Vallverdu, who left Murray’s stable last month, has been snapped up by the 29-year-old from the Czech Republic whose two ATP Tour titles during 2014 came on the indoor surfaces of Rotterdam and Stockholm.
Azuz Simcich has also been added to Berdych’s team, replacing the outgoing Tomas Krupa and David Vydra.
Berdych wrote on his Facebook page: "Dear fans, my new coach for 2015 will be Danny Vallverdu and Azuz Simcich. Thank you to Tomas Krupa and David Vydra for a great time together."
The consistent Berdych has won 10 ATP Tour tournaments during his career but is yet to secure a Grand Slam title, although he did reach the Wimbledon final in 2010 when he lost to Rafael Nadal.
He has ended the last five years inside the world’s top 10 reaching a career high No 5 in 2013.
