Coach Bollettieri offers to help young Briton Murray

LONDON, Apr 21 (Reuters) Top American coach Nick Bollettieri has offered to help out Andy Murray, saying the teenager had the potential to become one of the world's best players.

British number one Murray, 18, split with coach Mark Petchey last week following a 10-month partnership.

''I have something to offer as part of a team,'' Bollettieri wrote in today's Independent newspaper.

''There can be a role for an older guiding hand to offer advice, perspective, sometimes one-on-one intensive sessions ahead of big events. It's the job I think I could do for Andy.'' Bollettieri has coached a host of top players including Andre Agassi, Serena Williams, Martina Hingis, Maria Sharapova and Monica Seles.

''What do I see in Andy Murray that makes me want to work with him? Natural talent, that's a given, and attitude in spades,'' said Bollettieri.

''I've likened him before to Jim Courier, the ultimate workhorse, because I see his determination to give his all, and he's got that radical streak I saw in a young Agassi when I was his coach.

''He knows his mind and is not afraid to voice it.'' Bollettieri, 74, said he made an initial approach to the Murray camp this week to outline how he might be able to assist the youngster. But he discounted the possibility of returning to a day-to-day life on tour.

World number 45 Murray joined forces with Petchey during the 2005 grasscourt season and the Scot has since climbed more than 300 places in the ATP standings.

Under Petchey's guidance Murray claimed his first ATP title, beating former world number one Lleyton Hewitt in the San Jose final in February, and leapfrogged Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski in the rankings.

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