Andy Murray has given his strongest hint yet that he would like to start working with his former coach Ivan Lendl.
The world No.3 will enter next week’s French Open without a chief coach after recently ending his two-year partnership with Amelie Mauresmo. Despite the absence of a chief coach, Murray has had no trouble in achieving success on the tour. At the Rome Masters the Brit defeated Novak Djokovic in the final to win his 12th Masters title. It was also the first time that Murray has defeated the world No.1 on the clay in his career.
Speaking about a potential replacement for Mauresmo, Murray has said that he is ‘willing to compromise’ if Lendl would like to work him again. The Brit said Lendl’s experience of being world No.1 is one aspect that appeals to him.
“I’d love to work with Ivan but the time was the issue,” he said.
“If it can work, then I’d love to do it, but it has to work for both of us. People who have been No 1 in the world know the amount of time it takes to make an impact.”
Murray’s willingness to reunite with Lendl comes as no surprise given the success they previously had together. During their two-year stint between 2012-2014, the 28-year-old won two grand slam titles, four ATP titles (Queens, Miami and Brisbane twice) and an Olympic gold medal.
Leading up to Wimbledon, Murray is hoping that he will be able to conduct trails with some potential coaches. With the exception of Lendl, the world No.3 hasn’t named anybody else that he would like to work with. A potential name which could be on Murray’s mind is Daniel Vallverdu, who worked with him for four years (2010-2014). Vallverdu has recently become available after the ending of his collaboration with Tomas Berdych.
For the moment Murray will continue training with his assistant coach, Jamie Delgado. A former British player who achieved a doubles ranking high of 57th in the world in 2012.
Next week Murray will be seeded second in the French Open. Reaching the semifinals at Roland Garros on three previous occasions, Murray will be hoping to become the first British man to reach the final at the tournament since Bunny Austin in 1937.
