Ivan Lendl returns to Andy Murray’s coaching team

After splitting with former coach Amelie Mauresmo this year just before the French Open, Andy Murray has decided to bring back his former coach Ivan Lendl, who he had a successful partnership for two years from 2012 to 2014, as a part of his coaching team .

Murray during his two years with Lendl first won the Olympic Gold medal in 2012 in England followed by his first Grand Slam win at the US Open followed by a historic win at the prestigious Wimbledon in 2013.

Lendl a former world number 1 and 8 times Grand Slam champion himself, commented, “I enjoyed working with Andy in the past. Andy and I have always stayed in contact so it should be fun to be part of his team again.”

After splitting with Murray, Lendl spent the last two years working for the United States Tennis Association where he is expected to maintain his position despite his new job.

Murray begins his first campaign with his former coach at the Aegon’s  Championships  at Queen’s club. This further ups his chances of doing well in the Wimbledon this year, with one of his rivals, Rafael Nadal already out due to a wrist injury. Lendl helped improve his game incredibly particularly his forehand and boosted his confidence which made him defeat Djokovic and Federer in big tournaments as well. While the end of the partnership was cited to be mutual when it ended in 2014, it was Lendl who walked out having wanted to live a quiet family life tired of all the travelling. Having him back will be a very big boost for Murray in the coming tournaments.

Murray, currently ranked number 2 in the world reached the finals of both the Grand Slams this year but lost both times to Serbian Djokovic who is currently at the peak of his career. Apparently, he defeated Novak Djokovic both the times en route to his Grand Slam victories under Lendl.

Commenting on this, Murray said, “Hopefully it will be for a long time, from my side. He’s coming over, he’ll be here for the tournament and it’s good for him to spend a bit of time with the rest of the team as well to see how things work out. But provided everything’s good, it will hopefully go on for a long time.

“I think the most successful period of my career was while I was working with Ivan. I know what he can offer. The experiences he had, I think psychologically he helped me in the major competitions and they’re obviously the events I’m trying to win and am competing for.

“I hope he can bring that same experience and those same benefits that he did last time.”
He further added, “Ivan’s single-minded and knows what it takes to win the big events,
“I had two very successful years working with him. I’m looking forward to Ivan joining the team again and helping me try and reach my goals.”

Murray a four time champion at the Aegon’s championships begins the tournament on Monday facing 34 year old Frenchman Nicolas Mahut.