Wednesday, August 2 2006 17:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: British teen tennis prodigy Andy Murray and new coach Brad Gilbert are bonding well after a week together, although Gilbert turns off Murray's rap music and the Scotsman has much to learn about US sport.

Murray's first match under the man who guided Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick to Grand Slam triumphs and world number one rankings comes here on Wednesday in a second-round match at the 600,000-dollar ATP Washington Classic.

"The best thing about Brad is he worked with Andre at 23, he worked with Roddick (who Murray trounced at Wimbledon this year) at 20 and he has kids my age. He knows how to deal with younger guys," Murray said on yesterday.

"I respect him so I don't think there's going to be any problems with personalities," he said.



Murray, 19, has faith that Gilbert's knowledge and presence at such a formative time in his career is what he needs to lift him from a career-best ranking of 35th into the elite level of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

"I knew he was a very good coach. Obviously pesonalities have to match a little bit," Murray said.

"It's good for me right now to have someone with a strong personality, someone who knows what they are talking about," he said.

No major changes are planned for Murray until after the US Open, giving teacher and pupil a chance to learn about each other.

"This is not the time to make a lot of changes. You don't want to take away a player's confidence," Gilbert said.

"The main goal is keep getting better," he said.

Murray, for instance, knows Gilbert likes baseball's Oakland Athletics and American football's Oakland Raiders.

"We've had a good time so far," Murray said.

"The only thing I have to get at a lot more is the American sports. He has me supporting the Oakland Athletics. He made me go and buy a Raiders hat last night," he said.

"But everybody is telling me I have to support (arch rival) Kansas City," he said.

That would irk Gilbert almost as much as rap music. Murray's pre-match listening is 50 Cent, the pupil rejecting Gilbert favorites American legends Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and Bon Jovi.

"No rap," Gilbert said. "When he tries to pull that on me, I change the station," he said.

More crucial changes are coming to add size and strength for Murray.

"I would like to see 20 more pounds on him. But that's going to be 18 months," said Gilbert, who promises Murray will become intimate with some steep running and cycling hills in California.

"We need to improve his serve and fitness a lot," Gilbert said.

"There are lots of hills he will get to know," he said.

Gilbert dislikes hard and fast goals but smiles at one he has bulking Murray's muscles so he can burst shirtsleeves at Wimbledon in two years.

"The goal is for 2008 at Wimbledon he should be able to bust a sleeveless. Then you've got some 'pipes'," Gilbert said.

"Right now if he busts a sleeveless he's got some twigs. We've got to work on getting him some pipes," he said.

Murray realizes the need to improve, possible five-set Grand Slam endurance battles firmly in mind. "I haven't had any problems with fitness," he said.

"I do want to get physically stronger. I want to be able to play well in back-to-back five-set matches," he said.

Gilbert has seen some of the maturity that marked Agassi and Roddick in their success under his management.

"Andy is young but he strikes me as a very bright kid," Gilbert said.

"Players grow up faster than you would think. Young kids that have been on the tour are older than their years. He's a great kid. He wants to get better and learn," he said.

Murray and his boyhood idol Andre Agassi practiced together on Sunday and Murray was left impressed by Agassi's work ethic.

"Watching him work, how intense he is and how professional he is, at his age to be so motivated and work so hard, it's unbelievable and it's the reason he's still playing at such a high level," Murray said.

Murray would like to play Agassi before the eight-time Grand Slam champion retires at the US Open. They would meet in a Washington quarter-final if seedings hold.

"For me it's still tough and it's so hot. I haven't played on hard in four or five months. It will be tough," Murray said.

"I hope it happens. I've just got to do what I'm expected to, win a couple of matches and hope it happens," he said.