TNT Sports have now got the broadcasting rights for the Australian Open in the UK, showing it live on their platform for the first time in 2026. While for the most part fans are fine with this along with the star-studded lineup,
Andy Murray has shared his dissatisfaction over one specific area: the panel overlooking the rise of
Learner Tien.
Since retiring from the sport after the 2024 Paris Olympics, Murray has somewhat distanced himself from it. The three-time Grand Slam champion did have a spell as Novak Djokovic's coach, overlooking his progress for the first half of 2025 which included his run to the semi-finals of the Australian Open featuring an incredible victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals.
Most of the Scot's energy has been put into hobbies away from tennis, mostly golf where he has played a lot as he looks to reduce his handicap. Despite this, it does seem that the 38-year-old is still taking an interest in the sport, closely following the events from Down Under.
Robson opens up on Murray's specific complaint
Former tennis player and current presenter
Laura Robson had been in contact with Murray throughout the event. The two teamed up in the 2012 London Olympics mixed doubles, reaching the final before settling for silver.
Now presenting the coverage on TNT Sports, she began by talking about the second quarter-final on
day 10. "In the men's matches tomorrow, Alexander Zverev against
Learner Tien in the day session. I have a feeling that's an upset."
Tim Henman and Jamie Murray, the brother of Andy, were standing alongside Robson. Henman turned to the doubles player and said: "Your brother's been banging on about
Learner Tien."
Robson confirmed this news. "We've had non-stop messages from Andy throughout the week saying we're not talking enough about Tien. It just feels like Tien playing with that much more aggression with Michael Chang as his coach. He's got that belief in his game and there's no weaknesses that stand out because he does everything really well."
Tien has been a standout player on the ATP Tour these last few months, making it to the China Open final before picking up a maiden ATP title in the Moselle Open in a tight match against Cameron Norrie. The 20-year-old continues to make huge strides in the sport, sweeping past three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev after he won an incredible 16 games on the bounce to set up a quarter-final showdown against the world number three and last year's finalist Alexandre Zverev. It is a first Grand Slam last-eight appearance for the American, with a thrilling contest against the German soon to commence on Rod Laver Arena.
Unlikely to see Murray doing punditry work
Despite his brother sharing his thoughts with a microphone at Melbourne Park, it seems that Murray has no interest as of yet to being a pundit. That is not for the lack of trying by Robson.
"I’ve told him I’d like to see it," Robson told
Express Sport. "Every time I see him, I’m like: ‘When are you coming on?’. But no, I think he’s just happy to play golf at the minute. Eventually, maybe he might find some joy in trying it out."
She believes that Murray is fine away from the sport for the time being. "I think he’s very settled at home, but if he eventually decides to do it, I know he’d be great and he would kill it in any sort of analyst role. I know he thinks that men’s matches are too long to commentate on as well. So let’s maybe throw him a women’s match and see how that goes."