Adding a slam winner to his gang is about Andy Murray learning to take the big titles from a real champion
Rafael Nadal consoles Andy Murray after the Spaniard knocked Murray out in the semi finals of Wimbledon last year. Picture: Getty
Sitting prominently at the top of Andy Murray’s list of New Year’s resolutions is, presumably, “Win first grand slam title (preferably by end of Jan)”. And, in order to help the world No.4 achieve his goal, yesterday he appointed Ivan Lendl as his new coach.
Murray has been without a main adviser for the past 18 months, since he parted company with Miles Maclagan, a long spell in which he has amassed seven of his 21 career titles and reached his third grand slam final. Cemented into the world’s top four since the end of 2008, he is, without doubt, the best player in the world without a grand slam trophy to his credit. And that is where Lendl could prove to be a brilliant appointment.
The stone-faced Czech – now an American citizen – won eight major titles and spent a total of 270 weeks as the world’s No.1 ranked player, yet when he began his path to the top, no one believed that he had what it took to win when it mattered. Four grand slam finals came and went before he got his hands on one of those famous trophies (the French Open in 1984) but, once he had got the hang of winning, he made a habit of it. In all, he reached 19 grand slam finals and won 94 tournament trophies. Only the Wimbledon trophy eluded him.
“It was important to me that any new person joining my team was able to add fresh insight,” Murray said. “Ivan’s impact on the game is unquestionable and he brings experience and knowledge that few others have, particularly in major tournaments. I look forward to working with him going forward.”
Although Lendl has no real coaching experience – since he retired in 1994, he has done little more than play golf and try a bit of media work – Murray was not looking for a technical guru or a tactician because the business of playing tennis is not a problem for the Scot.
What he craved was the voice of experience to guide him through the latter stages of the big events. “The only thing I would look to add is maybe a wee bit more experience, maybe at the bigger tournaments. That is something that could help,” he said back in October on his way to winning the Shanghai Masters. The 51-year-old Lendl certainly has experience when it comes to winning grand slam titles.
“I am really excited to have the opportunity to work with Andy,” Lendl said. “He is a unique talent and I look forward to trying to help him reach his goals.”
If the mix of Lendl and Murray seems a little strange, then looks can be deceptive. Both men appear dour on court but away from the day job, they are both extremely bright, both are very sarcastic and both are sports nuts. Lendl’s sense of humour may not be particularly sophisticated (he loves a filthy joke, does Ivan) but while he was dominating the individual sport of tennis, he enjoyed nothing more than hanging out with the team at his favourite ice hockey club, just being one of the lads and joining in with the banter. He ought, then, to revel in being part of Murray’s gang.
The new partnership will have its first test in Brisbane this week before Murray makes his way to Melbourne for the Australian Open, which starts on 16 January.
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Comments
There are 3 comments to this article
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Bob W
Monday, January 2, 2012 at 05:52 AM1 What a fantastic knowledge of tennis you have.
hughmuscat
Sunday, January 1, 2012 at 10:39 PM1. I think you underestimate both men here. Murray is an incredible talent. He has choked in three finals but time is still on his side. Lendl changed the face of tennis with his approach to the game, particularly in terms of fitness levels. He is a very single minded guy who pretty much achieves everything he sets his mind on to achieve. I would not bet against him instilling a slam winning mentality on Andy. Should be interesting
The one that got away
Sunday, January 1, 2012 at 12:56 PMMurray is a choker and Lendl has done nothing for these 18+year! Dream on!
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