Andy Murray splits with coach Ivan Lendl for the third time

This is the third time Lendl and Murray have split. Photo: Getty Images/Julian Finney

Andy Murray and his longtime coach and mentor Ivan Lendl have split for the third and likely last time as Murray searches for that extra spark that could return him to the world's elite.

This announcement has already been made. With only the Davis Cup final left to play, Murray's 2023 season has been a tale of disappointment, filled with misses and unfulfilled events. He ended his latest tour in Paris last week with the words: “If I want to continue, I will have to work hard.”

In terms of training volume, Lendl was never the best person for Murray. Lendl lives in Florida, hates traveling and only appears at the biggest events, watching the rest of the season remotely.

When Murray was already playing in the top ten, Lendl's presence added some X-factor. It can't be a coincidence that Murray won the US Open and Wimbledon during Lendl's first tenure (2011–14) before adding another Wimbledon title during his second (2016–17).

These periods were noted. thanks to Murray's more aggressive tactical approach. An instinctive risk-averse player, he began hitting more — especially on his serve and forehand — when Lendl assured him that this was the only way to beat the best players.

Lendl first took over as Murray's coach in 2011. Photo: EPA/Dave Hunt

But the 2023 Murray needs more than just a morale-boosting face in the crowd at the majors. He has been climbing the rankings since he had the metal implanted four years ago, but the process appears to have stalled: his current position (42nd) is just seven places higher than where he started the season.

If there's one thing that sets Murray apart from players in the top 20, it's that he struggles to take charge of plays when given the opportunity. This was another point he made in Paris, saying: “A lot of guys pitch big money, get a lot of free points, and I could count on that a lot before. I don't do that now.»

In a statement released Friday, Murray said: «Ivan has been by my side during the most important moments of my career. I can't thank him enough for everything he has helped me achieve. He is a unique character who understands what it takes to win, and I have learned a lot from him over the years.”

The same statement said Murray will continue to work with his existing coaching backups, Mark Hilton and doubles specialist Johnny O'Mara. He is also understood to be interested in hiring experienced Canadian Louis Cayer for a few weeks of work in the off-season. Kayer has helped Murray with his serve once before and is widely considered to have great technical acumen.

However, the question is whether Murray will be looking to strengthen his squad next season. Could he look for a bigger name? One of the reasons why Lendl has had more success than any of his other coaches is that Murray can't turn to him when he doesn't like a proposal and say, «Show me your Grand Slam titles.»

There is also the issue of Hilton's affordability. Another respected coach, Hilton, has a contract with the Lawn Tennis Association that involves spinning several different plates at the same time. It is for this reason that Dan Evans unexpectedly fired him in 2020, and this could become a problem for Murray as well.

O'Mara was hired in the summer as a stable player: someone who could travel with Murray to every tournament and act as a strike partner. Fresh from doubles, he can deliver the ball exactly where it is needed. But there is a certain peculiarity in this rental. Although O'Mara is a very personable guy and therefore a pleasure to travel with, he has no previous coaching experience.

The end of the 2023 season was not a happy period for Murray: he suffered five defeats. in his last six matches and many broken rackets. “I don’t really like it now,” he admitted in the same Paris interview. “Just in terms of how I feel on the court and how I play. There hasn't been much positivity there in the last five or six months.”

The need for change was clear, so this announcement should be heartening to Murray's many fans. He continues to believe that he is capable of playing elite tennis with the right preparation. If he improves his ability to attack neutral balls — and that should just be a matter of repetition — he could still make a strong comeback in 2024.