Andy Murray - coaching by Ivan Lendl - now split

[patlowe]

I think that right now Andy may not be too bothered about replacing Lendl as his main focus now is to achieve 100% fitness....not even a Lendl can do that for him! Quite honestly I am more concerned about his fitness than his top coach. I would love to see him at 100% first and back competing on the courts. When that happens, he may cast about for a coach if that is indeed what he wants to do. In the meantime the speculation will continue....fun, but pointless methinks!!

[RosieBear]

I wonder if Boris is going to call Andy !!

I bet he'll be in there like a shot because he needs the money. I reckon we fans should have a whip round - might not raise enough to keep Lendl, but might get enough to pay off Boris :rolling:

[Alis]

I bet he'll be in there like a shot because he needs the money. I reckon we fans should have a whip round - might not raise enough to keep Lendl, but might get enough to pay off Boris :rolling:

Heaven forbid - I'd hate to see Boris in Andy's camp!

[JAMES4578]

Whilst disappointing as Lendl with Andy bore dividends (more in the confidence department) not the be all and end all and Murray can certainly be successful in the future , even if no guarantee with fitness. Personally think Andy would've won Wimbledon in 2016 regardless, though 2013 might've been different matter. I really didn't think Ivan was there an awful lot at some stages this year anyway. Wonder if it really is issue of money or more the travelling.

[Alis]

I just can't believe it's the money. If Andy really wanted Lendl he would pay the price. Similarly, if Ivan really wanted to do the job, money wouldn't be an issue. My take on it is that Lendl thinks that it will take time for Andy to get back to the top - if he ever does - and he isn't prepared to make the commitment required to make that happen.

[HoopGirl]

Who knows why they have split - and why now at this point when Andy is close to returning to play.
I wonder how Andy will do next year - I thought he played well in Scotland - but his walking bent over like that - well - that was a surprise that he's still like that now at this point!
And to be like that for such a long time - yeah it is a worry.
Andy however clearly feels he can return to fitness - he's working really hard on it.
Whether it's what it was before though who can tell. I can't see how he'd be happy playing at a low level so we must be optimistic here!
It would have been good for Lendl to show his loyalty to Andy at this stage I feel and if Lendl was really bothered about winning then why would he choose a low ranking player to work for. Is he planning to travel with this player? If so then it can't be about the travel. The player can't afford to pay him much so it can't be about money! Could it be about impact? He can make more of an impact with this young player than Andy. Maybe...

i wonder if we'll ever know...

[Linda]

If this is true, and it is of course a big IF, then sorry I think Andy is crazy to let him go. Both terms with Andy were an incredible success. Twice proven. Worth every penny. Lendl didn't teach Andy how to play tennis, he taught him how to believe in himself in the toughest moments. Can't put a price on that. And fear it will be extremely difficult to replace.

Totally agree. Whilst I never liked Lendl as a player, he was brilliant for Andy. If it hadn't been for him, there might still only have been a Big Three rather than a Big Four.


Maybe Andy should give his singles a rest and start playing doubles with Jamie! He has achieved so much in the singles and perhaps the doubles might be less stressful on the body and a little more relaxed

I thought this a couple of years ago about Rafa - he's had so many injuries, and he's a great doubles player, especially with his friend Marc Lopez - but then look at his comeback this year. Perhaps Andy can do the same.

[Jan62]

I'm gutted, Lendl did make the difference for Andy. I would be very disappointed if the split was over money. But the crucial thing is that Andy gets back to 100% fitness. Jamie D does a great job, but if they think Andy would benefit from another big name then I'm sure they'll try to get the right person. Which surely couldn't be Boris???

[themass15]

Agree Lendl did make the difference to Andy. All his big titles were with Lendl. But as Jan62 says, the first thing is to get back to 100% fitness.

[themass15]

Tim Henman was on Sportsweek this morning talking to Garry Richardson. Thinks Andy will be fine with Jamie and the team. There is an article in the Daily Mail today. Sorry I don't have the link.

[karanga]

Interesting viewpoint

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/tennis/delgado-the-man-for-murray-again-1-4617266

In August Boris was appointed head of German tennis with the remit of leading German tennis to success. I should imagine he will involve himself in the career of Sascha.

[Josephine]

According to the Guardian - it comes down to money. Lendl wanted a substantial rise.

Just to point out that the article said that Lendl wanted the rise when he came back in 2016 - it is not saying he wanted one now.

'Lendl, who was with Murray from late 2011 to 2014 before returning to the job last year, said: “I wish Andy well going forward. We had a great run and a lot of fun.”

However, Lendl is understood to have demanded a considerable pay rise to return to the job after helping Murray to his first two slam titles and his gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics.'

[JerryD]

Lendl is involved with USTA developing players etc. It may be that that's all they working weeks he wants, or that he wants to spend more time on this.

As for borris both KevD and I felt with his role in German tennis and sascha being mainly coached by his father that borris may look at a consultant role with them.

I can't see Andy rushing to add to his team for now but I imagine that if he does it will be a consultant type role alongside Delgado. Delgado is positive for next year, saying earlier that it will be Andy Murray in world number one this time next year. Obviously he can't say anything else. I have enjoyed seeing him on sky this week through he is nice, funny and has good insight.

[sir coolerking]

Can't see Andy appointing anyone before Australia. My guess is he'll see how his fitness is and how he's matching up against the big boys. If all looks promising then I wonder if we might see someone in place for Indian Wells (if he even bothers to go there) or Miami.

[Mickey]

Can't see Andy appointing anyone before Australia. My guess is he'll see how his fitness is and how he's matching up against the big boys. If all looks promising then I wonder if we might see someone in place for Indian Wells (if he even bothers to go there) or Miami.
According to Jamie Delgado Andy has no plans to replace Lendl. He is happy with his team and working to get fully fit. I’m pleased that Lendl is no longer around as he would have been pushing Andy and this could lead to more damage. After all he pushed last year when Andy needed to rest after a gruelling season.
Lendl was great for Andy, but we need to move on.

[roytennisfan]

Can't see Andy appointing anyone before Australia. My guess is he'll see how his fitness is and how he's matching up against the big boys. If all looks promising then I wonder if we might see someone in place for Indian Wells (if he even bothers to go there) or Miami.
I'm still worried with his limp, it is 4 months since Wimbledon and I can't see him being fit enough to challenge at the start of next year, so to me, at the moment, the coaching options are academic, that is, we need to get a fully fit Andy first.

[Caro]

Well I've never liked Lendl and whilst I was forced to admit that he was good for Andy and undoubtedly helped him over that line to win big, I never really saw or heard anything that made me warm to him. But I did start to believe he had Andy's interests at heart ... well aren't i the sucker?! You can't tell me it's a coincidence that both times they have split, it has been when Andy is out injured! We know he is a hard task master and rest and recovery are probably not part of his vocabulary. Should Andy even have played Wimbledon this year let alone try to play the USO which he admits was a mistake and I stick you a bet who was behind that idea!

And as for the money ... he wanted a substantial pay rise to go back to Andy this time did he? Why does that not surprise me?! All that crud about only doing it for Andy ... yeah right. I have no doubt they had a good relationship and he knew Andy didn't want him to leave the first time, so he probably though he could name his price. And yes, Andy can afford it but then again Lendl is not exactly broke is he?
Don't get me wrong, I too am sad they have parted because there is no doubt that Andy achieved a lot whilst he was working with Lendl. And I'm sad for Andy because I feel he has been let down again.

Agree that Andy just needs to focus on his fitness now and that Jamie Delgado and team will be just fine to help him do that. I wouldn't be surprised if Andy stuck with what he has got for the rest of his career TBH.

[RosieBear]

Well I've never liked Lendl and whilst I was forced to admit that he was good for Andy and undoubtedly helped him over that line to win big, I never really saw or heard anything that made me warm to him. But I did start to believe he had Andy's interests at heart ... well aren't i the sucker?! You can't tell me it's a coincidence that both times they have split, it has been when Andy is out injured! We know he is a hard task master and rest and recovery are probably not part of his vocabulary. Should Andy even have played Wimbledon this year let alone try to play the USO which he admits was a mistake and I stick you a bet who was behind that idea!

And as for the money ... he wanted a substantial pay rise to go back to Andy this time did he? Why does that not surprise me?! All that crud about only doing it for Andy ... yeah right. I have no doubt they had a good relationship and he knew Andy didn't want him to leave the first time, so he probably though he could name his price. And yes, Andy can afford it but then again Lendl is not exactly broke is he?
Don't get me wrong, I too am sad they have parted because there is no doubt that Andy achieved a lot whilst he was working with Lendl. And I'm sad for Andy because I feel he has been let down again.

Agree that Andy just needs to focus on his fitness now and that Jamie Delgado and team will be just fine to help him do that. I wouldn't be surprised if Andy stuck with what he has got for the rest of his career TBH.

I know we agree on nearly everything :hug:, but can't agree on Lendl. Absolutely get that you don't like him, but he's not the one-dimensional ogre that his detractors make him out to be - yes he is known to be tough, but also huge fun and thoughtful - it was Lendl who introduced Andy to the psychologist he used a few years ago and encouraged him to find the joy in playing. Just after Andy split from Amelie he was asked who we would have as his coach if he could have absolutely anyone, and without a moment's hesitation he said Lendl - sure enough they reunited a few weeks later to great effect. I honestly don't think any of that would, or could, have happened if Andy had ever felt let down by Lendl - all the trust and respect was still there. Also, I saw how devastated Andy was when he pulled out if the USO - he is an unbelievable competitor - that comes from deep within Andy and his warrior spirit, not Lendl berating him into things he doesn't want to do!

And as for the other comments, (sorry haven't quoted them) about needing a softer physical approah, this contradicts everything I've heard recently ie Andy is working superhard at his rehab.

Regarding the concerns about the limp, my auntie Janet who some people know from DC is PA to one of the UK's leading hip specialists (and a big Andy fan). After Andy Live, she asked him what he made of Andy's limp and his reply is that it's simply impossible to tell because there is such an array of reasons of varying seriousness that could underpin it. So if this guy : https://www.spencerprivatehospitals.com/consultants/dr-richard-slack/ can't tell just by looking, then I doubt anyone else can, so I guess as frustrating as it is, there really isn't too much we can do except be patient and try and resist the temptation of filling in the blanks with unfounded concerns.:shrug:

Sorry, I've replied to several people's comments without quoting them :shamed:

[exislander]

I thought the comment in the much referrred to article about the "substantial pay rise" referred to the earlier return to Andy's coaching team and not to any conditions this time round. I also thought the attempt to play US Open was as much Andy's desire as anything else.

[Caro]

Actually, I think you're probably both right about Andy wanting to play USO and about his competetive spirit of which I have no doubt ... and ok I admit, maybe Lendl has had Andy's best interests at heart (she says grudgingly;)) ... any excuse to have a go at lendl :laugh: ... but I still feel for Andy because for all those reasons you mention RB, he probably didn't want the split. So really, I'm just upset for him.

As for the pay rise, I was referring to when they first got back together not now.

[RosieBear]

Ok, Andy has return to the tour..... it's that time again...I'll be the one to raise it....do we think Andy will reunite with Lendl again? I know, I know - but it is a possibility! :peace: (I think given what transpired re Andy's hip since, we can forget the rumour it was a money issue).

[jagmad]

I agree with that 100%

[lovetennis]

Ok, Andy has return to the tour..... it's that time again...I'll be the one to raise it....do we think Andy will reunite with Lendl again? I know, I know - but it is a possibility! :peace: (I think given what transpired re Andy's hip since, we can forget the rumour it was a money issue).

Hmmm good point. Wasn't there a rumour Lendl was about to coach someone else recently? (racking my brains but can't for the life of me and remember who it was). Personally I don't think it will happen - Andy seems well settled with Jamie D and the rest of his team.

[RosieBear]

Hmmm good point. Wasn't there a rumour Lendl was about to coach someone else recently? (racking my brains but can't for the life of me and remember who it was). Personally I don't think it will happen - Andy seems well settled with Jamie D and the rest of his team.

Think it was Sascha Z.... but there have been rumours regarding a lot of players, both times Lendl and Andy have parted....and so far never come to anything...:peace:

Edit - just to be clear I mean Lendl as well as Jamie not instead of - life before, bascially. Def don't think Jamie is going anywhere!

[traveller7]

Ok, Andy has return to the tour..... it's that time again...I'll be the one to raise it....do we think Andy will reunite with Lendl again? I know, I know - but it is a possibility! :peace: (I think given what transpired re Andy's hip since, we can forget the rumour it was a money issue).

Wouldnt that be nice?!

[RosieBear]

Wouldnt that be nice?!

So nice!

[lovetennis]

Think it was Sascha Z.... but there have been rumours regarding a lot of players, both times Lendl and Andy have parted....and so far never come to anything...:peace:

Edit - just to be clear I mean Lendl as well as Jamie not instead of - life before, bascially. Def don't think Jamie is going anywhere!

:facepalm: of course, yes it was S.Zverev I was thinking of. Agree that if Andy did take on Lendl or any other coach, he would keep Jamie D

[Rosalind]

I heard that too - whilst watching RG tournament I think.

[WimbledonWestie]

Oh my. Happy thoughts.