How Ivan Lendl Boosts Andy Murray's Wimbledon 2016 Title Chances
The timing could not be better for Andy Murray as he heads into Wimbledon 2016 with the reunion of coach Ivan Lendl.
After all, the last time they were a tandem at the All England Club in London, Murray fulfilled his biggest career ambition in winning the 2013 Wimbledon title. It removed the dark historical cloud that had suffocated British tennis since 1936 and seemingly parted the skies for the nation’s Davis Cup triumph in 2015.
Coach Lendl could be a major influence for Murray’s chances to capture his first major since that grand summer in 2013. It’s the most proven hire with the biggest upside, and there are several reasons why.
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Lendl and Becker
A little history is in order when discussing Lendl’s playing days. The Czech-American boasted the biggest forehand power during the 1980s when he appeared in 19 major finals, winning eight times.
Despite his relentless baseline pounding, he was just as famous for not winning Wimbledon. The grass was faster and slicker, and the titles were claimed by serve-and-volley masters, which was a relative weakness for Lendl.
During Lendl’s heyday, the biggest star at Wimbledon was Boris Becker, the man who is currently assisting world No. 1 Novak Djokovic with his dominance of grand slams.
In the 1986 Wimbledon final, a dashing young Becker defeated the stoically methodical Lendl, impressing on the tennis public the ultimate failure and success for each star.
Thirty years have passed, and perhaps Lendl would love nothing more than to help Murray to another Wimbledon title at Becker's, or rather Djokovic’s, expense.
Lendl is also the person who most understands how hard it has been for Murray to win majors while more legendary stars Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have dominated nearly all of his best career opportunities.
Lendl suffered big losses early in his own career to titans Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors before breaking through to outlast them in the latter part of the 1980s.
Lendl is the model for resilience. He experienced tough defeats like Murray, and he is a symbolic contrast to Becker’s more ebullient nature, which happens to mirror that of Djokovic. Styles make matches, but more importantly they are necessary for good chemistry with coaches and stars.
“He's a leader, a strong voice, loads of experience but also we have had a lot of similar experiences,” Murray said, per the Press Association (h/t the Daily Mail). “I have won matches (with Lendl) where maybe you expect a pat on the back and you get the opposite. And sometimes I have lost matches and been told 'you know what, you played great'."
One thing’s for sure, Lendl was never afraid of competing against anyone, and he will certainly be just as competitive and demanding in his support for Murray to defeat Djokovic and the other stars in the ATP.
Proven Winners
Murray gets the immediate jolt from a coach who helped him reach his greatest successes, including the 2012 Olympic Games gold medal and 2012 U.S. Open title along with his Wimbledon highlight. All of these required the Scot to defeat Djokovic, the former in the semifinals and the majors in the finals.
While Murray made positive strides under recent coach Amelie Mauresmo, especially with his improved footwork and results on clay, Lendl is the imposing figure that he needs to stay more under control when big-match moments test his psyche and temper.
Too often, Murray’s trying moments during big matches saw him looking up angrily at his team’s box as if they could reassure him or project the confidence that he needed to ride through the storm. Under Lendl from 2012-14, Murray was more composed.
He respects Lendl and tried harder to stay cool. When a future match crisis bubbles up, Murray's frustrations might dissipate quicker.
Looking over at Lendl during a match is like staring at the sun. The Czech's reflective glare should remind the Scot to turn his eyes and mind back to the task at hand, namely competing harder on the court than shouting off of it.
Advantage Lendl.
It’s precisely what Becker has been able to provide for Djokovic, who explained it all in an interview for Sarah Shephard in Sport Magazine (h/t TalkSport):
"He (Becker) has the mental ability to handle really stressful situations on the court in the big matches. Especially those that are for big trophies. He’s won many of them himself, so he understands the challenge that is waiting for me on the court. We had a lot of talks about this particular matter, and I think this is where his contribution has shown the most in my game and in my success.
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Best of all, Lendl has had this winning relationship with Murray, and the Scot will be all ears and eager to jump back into his coach’s guidance.
Technically Speaking
Lendl has been able to sit back and notice changes in Murray. While he knows the most important challenge is to help the 29-year-old continually improve on his second serve and beef up his forehand, he has to be pleased that the Scot has been attacking better in recent big matches against Djokovic.
At Rome, Murray improved his baseline positioning and hit with more power, according to Craig O’Shannessy for ATP World Tour. He also crashed the net and dumped in more drop shots, keeping his Serbian rival more off balance and not letting him conservatively control a sideways baseline attack.
Murray won the first set of the French Open final when he went after Djokovic’s forehand with greater bite and purpose. It was hardly a coincidence that it all faded away once the world No. 1 seized control with nastier angles and strokes on both sides of the court.
Still, Murray proved that he could once again push the Serb, but the trick will be accomplishing this for an entire match.
Lendl knows every detail about what it takes to win big with a forehand and sometimes erratic serve. Perhaps no greater player relied more on this combination than the Czech. He will help simplify and improve Murray’s mentality to use a bludgeoning attack while understanding that his creative shot-making and incredible defense are still his foundation.
Even Piers Newbery for BBC Sport could hardly contain his enthusiastic tweet as the pair worked together at Queen's Club:
Lendl could be the key for Murray if he is to return in early July as the conquering two-time Wimbledon champion.
Of course, times are changing quickly with young players like Dominic Thiem, Nick Kyrgios and Alexander Zverev making their presence on the tour. There will continue to be challenges from big-serving Milos Raonic and old tormenter Federer who is looking for an epic comeback of his own.
But things are also much more positive for Murray and Lendl now than they were in April 2014 when they parted. The Scot was still recovering from back surgery and the coach had other demands such as some of his own tennis exhibition tour, golf and work with juniors players at his tennis academy, according to the New York Times.
Now the Scot has been healthy for about a year and a half, but more important he’s hungry and his prime tennis clock is ticking. He’s not desperate, but he’s going to buy in and listen to whatever Lendl offers, and he will continue to look to his entire team, including full-time coach Jamie Delgado who has been an instrumental part of his recent success during the clay-court season.
It’s no time to fret about the past but to look forward for his next opportunity at Wimbledon. Murray is rejuvenated for the moment, but let’s see if he is elated after the sport's most important tennis trophy celebration.
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