Murray splits with coach Lendl for third time

LONDON: Andy Murray has parted ways with his long-time coach Ivan Lendl for a third time, the former world number one said on Saturday.

Lendl helped the 36-year-old Murray to his three Grand Slam titles and teamed up with the British player again last year. Their latest split was mutual, they 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,” Murray said.

“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 first hired Lendl in 2011 and made his breakthrough the year after when he won the Olympic gold medal before claiming his first Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open. A year later Murray became the first British man to win Wimbledon for 77 years. They split in 2014 but eight-time Grand Slam winner Lendl returned in 2016 with Murray winning his second Wimbledon title and second Olympic gold and becoming world number one for the first time.

Murray began working with Lendl again last year as he continued to try and revive former glories after hip resurfacing surgery in 2019 but has suffered a frustrating season as his long wait to get past the third round at a Grand Slam continued. The last time Murray went further than that was in 2017, shortly before the end of his second stint with Lendl.

“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.”

British pair Mark Hilton and Jonny O’Mara, who have been working with Murray alongside Lendl this year, will continue to work with the Scot.