Quite exciting to start the new year with such a name in one's team. Good luck to both ... hope it brings AM a fresh approach to playing the top three.

Hooray! At last an item on most interesting tennis news of the (new) year;) I think this appointment shows just how much Andy wants it. Hope Ivan can give Andy that last wee push. This is do or die time. Come on!
No expectations for AO btw, it's too soon, but come RG and USO...well, who knows?

Great move, I think. I just hope muzz accepts Lendl's "honesty" enough to welcome it in the early stages of sulk-mode;) I hope he has enough respect for someone with proven champ mentality to let him point to the necessary rewiring in his brain at times. As far as I'm concerned, muzz's tennis is already there - I've long rejected the gibberish of those who talk about muzz not having 'the weapons' and all that nonsense.
deuce - have to disagree about oz I'm afraid. I'll always have expectations for the AO, with or without new coach, so here's hoping that Lendl's presence will at least be able to do something psychological for muzz. RG? SFs or further again would be great, so I'm not expecting too much there, even if thing are working well with Lendl.

It's wait and see for me. A new coach, especially one that has never played that role before (I think) does not necessarily mean good results. For example look what happened to djokovic while todd martin was his coach.

bleck: don't think he's there to "coach" as such, think he's there to kick a**e! Anyway, think he's "helped" Sampras?
alex, semi final of RG is SO last year....;)

Only this week, Muzz was saying part of Djoko's success was sticking with the same team and having faith in them, maybe he'll keep Llendl on for life not just for Christmas.

I so so want him to win a Grandslam this year.

What Llendl can bring to Muzz's table is discipline and the will to win, whether Murray will allow him to take the reins remains to be seen because by all accounts Muzz doesn't take to well to being told what to do. My other reservation is that Llendl switched off tennis for years and years and took up golf, so it is a big leap to join the never ending tennis circuit with the possibility of bumping into his old enemy, and I use that word advisedly, J-Mac.

None of Muzz's former coaches came close to him as a player, but in Llendl's case, he'll be dealing with the exact opposite situation and Llendl will expect Muzz to look up to him which would be a culture shock for Murray as well.

Was at work when I heard the news yesterday so couldn`t log on to comment. Hopefully a good start to the New Year for AndyM (I don`t count my chickens though). For sure its the polar opposite of what AndyM`s used to (Nadine) hopefully someone who`s been there and done it will encourage AndyM not only to listen but to take on board the advise, could be just the thing AndyM needs as Ivan Llendl will understand the pressure top players are under when on court, this union may prove beneficial re psychological aspect of AndyM`s game too.

I think this is a great move on Andy's part. He picked one of my favorite players, a man who went through much the same experience as he struggled to win his first slam. I have mentioned Lendl on more than one occasion when discussing Murray. I always told Murray fans not to get discouraged, because Lendl had the same problem but kept at it until he broke through and then there was no stopping him.

Lendl's approach to fitness and training became the gold standard in the game. He always worked to be better. Lendl took some tough losses to McEnroe and Connors and realized that he had to work even harder if he was to beat them.

Also, Lendl has been playing on the senior tennis circuit recently and has continued to follow the players. He has a wealth of tennis knowledge and real sense of what it takes to win in a competitive era. I do hope that Andy will listen to him and be able to take some constructive criticism and advice.

I think this shows that Andy really wants to win his first slam this year. I wish him good luck and believe that Lendl has much to offer as his new coach.

"It was important to me that any new person joining my team was able to add fresh insight.

He's had fresh insight several times already. Will Murray have the balls to yell c*#t to Lendl in his box?

18 month coaching drought?
He was afraid to open his wallet and have all the dust and flies come out of it. It's called "cheap."

Andy M should hire the know-it-all Pennster!

I think this shows that Andy really wants to win his first slam this year. I wish him good luck and believe that Lendl has much to offer as his new coach.

Nativenewyorker , 1/3/12 2:45 AM


Sorry, but I couldn't resist this - when has Andy or anyone not wanted to win their first slam?

Wow painster, you really must know Andy very well in order to make these amazing moral judgements.
Surely nadline the issue is that Andy has decided to improve his chances somewhat and indicated that he is willing to start learning from a previous grand slam winner. Surely this is encouraging? Why are you being so negative. Are you worried?

I think it *could* work. I mean, I wasn't particularly impressed with what Connors did with Roddick, but Murray has been without coaching help for a while. Maybe just the idea of a guy like Lendl in his corner will help him.

deuce, I'm not worried at all. I just find it funny that some think Andy is only now wanting to win his first slam by appointing Llendl as if he hasn't always wanted it.

He's been close so there is every chance that he will win a slam, and Llendl could be the guy to give him the one more heave but to say that by appointing Llendl it shows that he really wants to win a slam sound a little bit, well.........I'm actually lost for words.

No, I'm not going to say I hope he does, because I would like my favourite player to win any and every contest because I don't know how to hunt with the hounds and run with the deer.