How the mighty have fallen

I also considered titling this post - "Does this mean we don't have to listen to him call matches anymore?"

But the "fall of the mighty" angle seems more pertinent, particularly when set against the fact that Andy Roddick, one of Brad Gilbert's former superstar pupils, just announced that he's hired Jimmy Connors as his new coach. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Gilbert is signing on with the Lawn Tennis Association to coach Andrew "The Little Wanker" Murray. And, lest we forget, help the LTA with "some other projects."

This is the same Brad Gilbert who brought Andre Agassi back from fatness and Brooke Shields, and then took Roddick to the top of the charts before being fired by ARod's gay mojo in December of 2004. Somehow, what that resume gets you these days is a gig with Andrew Murray and the LTA. It boggles the mind.

Cut to Wimbledon 2007. Murray hoisting the trophy on Centre Court, having just dispatched Federer in four. Roddick is only to be found in the tabloids, where he and Connors are trading insults after their acrimonious divorce.

As a postscript - I remember when Roddick had just hired Gilbert, I saw Agassi being interviewed, I think by Ted Robinson. Ted said - "I spoke with Brad earlier today... he said to tell you you're now his second favorite player."

Without blinking, Agassi deadpanned, "That's funny, because he's now my second favorite coach."

Gilbert accepts Murray coach role (BBC Sport)
BRAD GILBERT FACTFILE (sportinglife.com)