Murray Likes Lendl, So Far

Written by: Staff on 10th January 2012

Murray Likes Lendl, So Far |

Andy Murray is so delighted about the initial results just two matches into his new coaching relationship that he respectfully gave credit to the man he hopes will finally guide him to Grand Slam triumph as ‘Mr. Lendl’.

With his ATP World Tour title collection now extended to 22 after winning the Brisbane International, Murray is brimful of optimism about what can be achieved with the former world no.1 and winner of eight major titles.

“It’s only been four days, but just the way he operates is good for me,” said Murray who will now spend the week practicing with Lendl in Melbourne and playing one exhibition match against Argentina’s David Nalbandian at Kooyong on Friday. ““I’m really looking forward to it and I hope he is as well.”

Murray reported that celebrations following the final win over Alexandr Dolgopolov were not extensive. “We finished the match today, he was straight to the airport, it’s ‘see you on Tuesday’,” said the Scot. “Ivan understands the way it needs to work. He won’t be on to me every single minute of the day but the time we spend together will be honest, open, good fun. He has got a similar sense of humor to me, he is a funny guy but very hardworking.”

Murray insists he and Lendl are very much on the same page on numerous issues but most importantly stated: “He knows the feeling of playing a Grand Slam final at 7pm at night and the nerves leading up to that.

“He’s not worried about today’s match, or the day before, or the Open, he is worried about putting in the right work, giving everything I can. People say I haven’t done this and I haven’t done that, but as long as I give 100 per cent and put in the hard work, there’s nothing more that I can do.

“Someone like Lendl is not going to let me get away with 90 per cent. I’ll give everything I can and he will make sure I’m prepared as well as possible and have the right mindset for the big events.”

Lendl refused to make any long comment on Murray’s Brisbane performance, except to say: “I thought Andy was great today. He fought for every point, it could not have been much better, and I thought that his composure was fantastic.”

Topics: Andy Murray, Ivan Lendl