Pat Cash and John McEnroe Think Lendl Was a Good Choice for Andy Murray

Written by: Staff on 9th January 2012

Brisbane International Tennis tournament

Pat Cash and John McEnroe Think Lendl Was a Good Choice for Andy Murray

Andy Murray of Great Britian hits a forehand return before winning the final of the Brisbane International Tennis tournament against Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine in Brisbane, Australia, 08 January 2012. EPA/DAVE HUNT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

John McEnroe and Pat Cash were two of Ivan Lendl’s greatest enemies. The two waged numerous battles on the court and the enmity with the man from Ostrava who eventually embraced the United States lifestyle continued once they left the playing arena. But both the New Yorker and the Aussie believe Lendl is the man to turn Andy Murray into a Grand Slam champion.

McEnroe faced Lendl 36 times across the net and once described his rival as a ‘scary robot.’ After seeing Lendl’s presence immediately inspire Murray to winning the title at the Brisbane International, McEnroe thinks good things could come out of the relationship.

“I hate to give credit to Lendl but Murray needed to do something out of the ordinary instead of going with the predictable re-tread,” said McEnroe who once said he would be interested in helping the 24 year-old Scot.

“This is definitely something that was, to me, unexpected. I didn’t know that Lendl wanted to coach. He could bring something to the table, without a doubt.”

Thinking back to his rivalry with the man who inflicted his most painful defeat and so denied him that most precious French Open in 1984, McEnroe amplified the similarities between Lendl and Murray. “Lendl didn’t win a major until he was 24 and guess what? Murray is 24 right now,” he said. “So that could provide something worth it for Murray, I’m going to be paying attention to that, see how it works out.”

Cash has gone down in history as the man who prevented Lendl from winning the Wimbledon title that became his obsession and once had to be physically pulled off his adversary in the Monte Carlo locker room in a flare-up over a pair of sneakers.

“I have known Lendl for close to 30 years and I cannot say I haven’t been even close to liking him for much of that time,” said Cash, writing in the Sunday Times. “Initially I thought the tie-up with Murray was a match made in hell. There was no way they could even agree to disagree. I wasn’t sure there was anything Lendl reckoned he didn’t know better than anybody else.

“Given a week to think about the liaison, and seeing what happened in Brisbane, I honestly believe it could be a masterstroke. From my perception there really aren’t that many good coaches out there who can help a player of Murray’s quality and class. Yet Lendl could just be the man.”

Cash credits Lendl as being the man who revolutionized top flight male tennis into what it is today. “He was the ultimate professional, always looking for ways in getting that little bit extra out of himself,” said the Aussie. “Sure, the sport has changed immeasurably since those days in the late 1980’s but Lendl was the main figure in initiating that development..

“The area I think we all know where work needs to be done with Murray is in the mind and perhaps Lendl can be the man to convince Murray he can get the better of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in the finals that really matter.

“So is now the time that Murray is finally prepared to be told the cold, hard facts? Because, if I know Ivan, then that is what will happen. He will tell his charge that playing the immature kid out on court, cursing and swearing at his support team when things go wrong, isn’t the kind of behavior that wins Grand Slam titles. And if that kind of attitude persists, then I’m sure Lendl will simply walk away. “

Topics: Andy Murray, Ivan Lendl, John Mcenroe, Pat Cash