Murray splits with Lendl for third time as tennis star explains final parting
Andy Murray has split with his coach Ivan Lendl for a third and final time. The Scot won all his three Major titles and two Olympic gold medals working with the Czech-born American.
They stopped working together for a second time in 2017 as Murray started to suffer with hip problems but re-united for a third time in March last year.
But seeking a final tilt at a Grand Slam title, the Scot has been unable to get beyond the third round of a Major with his metal hip and remains at world No.42.
Lendl, now 63, is increasingly unwilling to travel and Murray, 36, wants a long winter training block before his potential final season.
Mark Hilton and Jonny O’Mara will now share the coaching duties for the Scot.
Murray said: “Ivan has been by my side at the biggest moments in my career and I can’t thank him enough for all that he’s helped me achieve. He’s a unique character, who understands what it takes to win and I’ve learnt an awful lot over the years from him.”
Murray and Lendl first started working together at the end of 2011 and after the Scot lost the 2012 Wimbledon final – his fourth Grand Slam final defeat – he bounced back to win the London Olympics and the US Open.
Murray won his first Wimbledon in 2013 before a first split in 2014. Reunited in 2016, he enjoyed a remarkable year where he won a second Wimbledon and Olympic gold before finishing the year as world No.1 for the first time.
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Lendl had also lost his first four Majors between 1981-83 before claiming eight Grand Slam titles – and Murray has called on his experiences of winning the big events.
“I will look back with some great memories of the time Andy and I worked together,” Lendl said. “He’s as hard a worker as there is and the sport is better because of him. I wish him only the best in the years to come.”
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