Andy Murray No Longer Fears Coach Lendl

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 14th January 2014

Andy Murray No Longer Fears Coach Lendl

epa04020202 Andy Murray of Great Britain wipes his face during his first round match against Go Soeda of Japan at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 14 January 2014. EPA/MAST IRHAM |

Andy Murray no longer fears the wrath of iron-man coach Ivan Lendl, with the Scot having gained valuable confidence in his own game under the regime of the former grand slam tough guy. After two years together and success through Wimbledon and US Open titles, the pair has jelled into a smooth working unit.

Murray said that over time, he has reached a position where he feels he does not have to impress the his Florida-based mentor. “The first few months when I was working with him, you’re kind of nervous going into practice sessions and stuff,” Murray told Scottish media on the eve of the Australian Open. “That’s a good thing. It shows that you care and want to impress him. But then you get used to having him around. It’s not quite the same.”

Murray compared the relationship’s development to the one he has with longtime girlfriend Kim Sears, though the lady in question might not wish to be compared to stern-faced Czech disciplinarian.

Lendl and Murray were first off the mark in the trend of celebrity coaches. Since they got together, Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg, Michael Chang, Sergi Bruguera and Juan Carlos Ferrero, among others, have been signed to assist current top players.

Murray, who hopes to put a stop to Japan’s Go Soeda in the first round, is pleased to see the return of the old stagers. “It’s good for tennis to see all of these great players back involved. A lot of players back in the day didn’t get on that well with each other, it’s a bit different now. There might be a few interesting dynamics going on there with the ex-players

“But it’s nice walking into the locker room and seeing Becker, Ivan, Chang and Goran Ivanisevic (Marin Cilic). But the player still needs to put the work in. It doesn’t matter how good the coach is, if you don’t put the work in you’re not going to get results.”

Topics: 10sballs, Andy Murray, Australian Open, Boris Becker, Goran Ivanisevic, Ivan Lendl, Marin Cilic, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News