Andy Murray caused a big surprise today when he named former women's No 1 Amelie Mauresmo as his new coach, the first top male player to employ a woman in the role in more than 40 years

The Scot said two-time Wimbledon champion Mauresmo would join his coaching team, initially for the grass-court season, starting with this week's Aegon Championships, where he is the defending champion.

Murray is the first grand slam champion since Jimmy Connors, whose mother Gloria was his coach, to hire a woman in the role.

And Murray said he was confident Mauresmo, who fills the void created by the departure of Ivan Lendl in March, would help him add to his grand slam tally.

"I'm excited by the possibilities of the new partnership and Amelie is someone I have always looked up to and admired," Murray said in a statement.

"She's faced adversity plenty of times in her career, but was an amazing player and won major titles, including Wimbledon."

"I have a very strong coaching team already in place, but I think Amelie brings with her experience and tactical expertise and will push us all to improve. 

"Everyone I know talks very highly of Amelie, as a person and coach, and I'm convinced that her joining the team will help us push on - I want to win more grand slams."

Mauresmo, who is also the coach of France's Fed Cup team, said she believed she could add something to Murray's game.

"I'm really excited to be able to work with Andy," Mauresmo said. "He's an amazingly talented tennis player and I feel I have plenty to offer both him and the team around him. I'm looking forward to getting down to work and helping him win more grand slams."

Mauresmo sparked rumours that she might be in the running when she watched Murray's first-round match at the French Open.

Mauresmo helped Marion Bartoli win Wimbledon in 2013 and also spent time as the coach of Frenchman Michael Llodra a few years ago.

Earlier this week, Murray said having a woman as coach could be quite refreshing.

"When you get a lot of men in a room, there are often quite a lot of egos involved and communication can sometimes be quite difficult because not everyone listens," he said.

"In those situations, women can listen a bit better and take things on board easier than guys. From a communication point of view, it would probably be pretty good."

Andy Murray caused a big surprise yesterday when he named former women's No 1 Amelie Mauresmo as his new coach, the first top male player to employ a woman in the role in more than 40 years.

The Scot said two-time Wimbledon champion Mauresmo would join his coaching team, initially for the grass-court season, starting with this week's Aegon Championships, where he is the defending champion.

Murray is the first grand slam champion since Jimmy Connors, whose mother Gloria was his coach, to hire a woman in the role.

And Murray said he was confident Mauresmo, who fills the void created by the departure of Ivan Lendl in March, would help him add to his grand slam tally.

"I'm excited by the possibilities of the new partnership and Amelie is someone I have always looked up to and admired," Murray said in a statement.

"She's faced adversity plenty of times in her career, but was an amazing player and won major titles, including Wimbledon."

"I have a very strong coaching team already in place, but I think Amelie brings with her experience and tactical expertise and will push us all to improve. 

"Everyone I know talks very highly of Amelie, as a person and coach, and I'm convinced that her joining the team will help us push on - I want to win more grand slams."

Mauresmo, who is also the coach of France's Fed Cup team, said she believed she could add something to Murray's game.

"I'm really excited to be able to work with Andy," Mauresmo said. "He's an amazingly talented tennis player and I feel I have plenty to offer both him and the team around him. I'm looking forward to getting down to work and helping him win more grand slams."

Mauresmo sparked rumours that she might be in the running when she watched Murray's first-round match at the French Open.

Mauresmo helped Marion Bartoli win Wimbledon in 2013 and also spent time as the coach of Frenchman Michael Llodra a few years ago.

Earlier this week, Murray said having a woman as coach could be quite refreshing.

"When you get a lot of men in a room, there are often quite a lot of egos involved and communication can sometimes be quite difficult because not everyone listens," he said.

"In those situations, women can listen a bit better and take things on board easier than guys. From a communication point of view, it would probably be pretty good."