Andy Murray and Ivan Lendl part ways again
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Eighteenth months after re-signing with Ivan Lendl, Andy Murray has decided to split with the veteran coach by "mutual agreement" after yet another successful campaign in 2016. The duo had first teamed up in 2012, which had proved to be the start of Murrayās success on the biggest stage.
Murray had signed up with Lendl on New Yearās EveĀ in 2011, and the results were evident as Murray was able to secure his first Grand Slam after defeats in four previous finals. Interestingly, with the win Murray became the second player, after Lendl, to have won a Grand Slam after four finalĀ defeats in the Open era. Murray then went on to become the first Briton since Fred Perry in 1936 to win the title on the fabled grass at Wimbledon the next year. However, the duo decided to split up after the end of the season as Murray decided to hire Amelie Mauresmo as his coach.Ā
"I'm thankful to Ivan for his help and guidance over the years," Murray said, reported BBC.
"We've had great success and learned a lot as a team. My focus now is on getting ready for Australia with the team I have in place and getting back to competing."
However, midway through the 2016 campaign, the team was back together and back to winning. Murray won his second Wimbledon title which was quickly followed by a second Olympic gold. Their biggest achievement came at the end of the year when Murray displaced Novak Djokovic as the top-ranked player in the world.
"I wish Andy well. We had a great run and a lot of fun," Lendl said.
However, as aĀ top-ranked player, Murray struggled to impose himself as he was ousted in the fourth round in Australia before being knocked out of the French Open in the semis. Murray was expected to do well in the upcoming grass season but a hip injury meant that he was beaten by Sam Querrey in July ā his last competitive game of the season.
