Andy Murray says he was "amazed" by the level of criticism his appointment of Amelie Mauresmo as coach attracted.
The Briton, 28, became the first leading male player to employ a female coach when he hired the Frenchwoman.
"I knew it would be a big story at the beginning but I thought it would die down quicker than it has," Murray said.
"I was very surprised at the amount of criticism she received for each loss I had. I couldn't believe the negativity towards her personally."
World number three Murray employed Mauresmo, who won two Grand Slam titles and 25 WTA titles, last June after previous coach Ivan Lendl quit three months earlier.