Murray plans long-term link with Lendl

LONDON (AFP) –

Andy Murray (left) says he wants coach Ivan Lendl to stay with him on a long-term basis, possibly for the next five years. The Scot hooked up with the Czech legend a year ago and in the last 12 months he won Olympic gold in London, his first major title at the US Open and reached the final at Wimbledon.

Andy Murray has said that he wants coach Ivan Lendl to stay with him on a long-term basis, possibly for the next five years.

The Scot hooked up with the Czech legend a year ago and in the last 12 months he won Olympic gold in London, his first major title at the US Open and reached the final at Wimbledon.

Going into the Australian Open in Melbourne in January, Murray feels that the partnership has proved its worth and should be extended.

“Ivan and I have a very good relationship, it’s very honest and open, that’s why it has worked so well and why both of us are planning long term,” he was quoted as saying in a number of national newspapers.

“We spoke at the end of last year and it was much more short term – ‘let’s see how the first few months of the season go’. Now it’s, ‘What are we going to be doing in four or five years’ time?”‘

Murray also admitted that only since his Olympic heroics has he felt able to walk around with his head held high.

He added: “Since the Olympics I just feel a bit better about myself. I find it easier to walk around with my head up, whereas before I was always head down, not wanting anyone to see me or say anything.

“Maybe I felt that having lost in grand slam finals I was letting whoever it was down.

“I know I had been reminded every day for the last six years that it’s this long since someone from our country won a slam. So there was part of me probably that felt a little bit of responsibility.

“It’s nice not to have worry about that any more and see what else I can achieve.”