Lendl May (Or May Not) Have His Work Cut Out

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Ivan Lendl retired holder of 8 slam titles has just arrived in Brisbane to start working with his new charge the world number four Andy Murray. What will he be working on?

Most agree that it will not be improvements in the technical side of Murray's game. Lendl has no previous coaching experience and from what I've read his own style and stroke production was very different to Murrays. Murray is a mature player and technical changes at this stage are not easy so it is probably safe to assume that if he wanted help with this he would have sought a more experienced coach.

Many have speculated that it is his on court behaviour that Lendl might work on. This appeared reasonable as I believe Lendl had great emotional control on court. This however is what Murray himself had to say about the way he behaves on court just a few weeks ago (at a time when presumably negotiations were going on with Lendl.

ANDY MURRAY believes Wayne Rooney's character flaws have helped him become one of the best footballers on the planet.

So the Scot is adamant he can lift a Grand Slam title without ditching his Rooney-like temper tantrums and meltdowns.

The world No.3 has been heavily criticised for his on-court demeanour
and the regular rants he directs at those watching in the players' box.

Murray has been told more times than he cares to remember that he needs
to sort out his mental approach - with ex-Davis Cup skipper John Lloyd
among his biggest critics.

However, the 24-year-old insists he would lose his competitive edge and
do more harm than good if he underwent a radical personality
transformation.

Murray said: "I'm not perfect, I know that. But everybody is different.


"Roger Federer stays calm. Yet if you look at a great footballer like
Rooney, getting p****d off at his team-mates or at himself, he is a
completely different character but still a fantastic sportsman.
"I'm sure Rooney tries to improve his temperament. It is a flaw but it doesn't stop him being one of the best in the world.

"That is where I am. It just wouldn't make me feel good to bottle my
emotions. Saying nothing and standing there makes me feel uncomfortable
and flat.

"There is a fear of emotion in tennis. If someone boos everyone looks at
them as if to ask, 'What the hell are you doing?' Yet in other sports
it happens all the time.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/tennis-news/2011/11/16/atp-world-tour-finals-passion-is-the-key-as-andy-murray-goes-in-search-of-huge-cash-prize-86908-23565441/


It doesn't sound like an area of his game he is seeking to change. From reports of his matches in Brisbane despite saying he has been in contact with Lendl and that he is working on mutually agreed areas he has been his usual self on court. I can understand why he may not change because despite what many believe IMO this sort of behaviour helps him win. Particuarly against lower ranked players but it can prove disruptive to even the best. On a few occasions Nadal has not coped well. I don't understand why it disrupts other players because if they watched a video of him they would know what to expect but it does. I think Lendl would approve. He wasn't interested in being popular he just wanted the win. I will be surprised if this is something that Lendl will seek to change.


Lendl improved his own game by working on his physical fitness. After a loss Murray often says he needs to improve this area of his game. He has said things like "I need to get stronger". IMO this is the area that Lendl will be working on.

I am also curious to know why Lendl has decided to return to the tennis world after such a long time away. Frew McMillan (a commentator on Eurosport who knew him personally) expressed complete surprise. I wonder what Lendl himself is hoping to gain from the partnership. From what I've heard about him he doesn't sound like a magmanimous character.

Oh I think AM more or less optimises a ‘dour Scot’, I’m not knocking him for that, it’s just the way (as I perceive it anyway) he is.

Completely agree that he is seemingly just one ingredient away from winning a slam, and then several more after I should think, but what is that one ingredient? Is it a mental state? As an example of my concern as a fan that enjoys watching AM play, I remember seeing Novak coming in to the stadium at last year’s AO and seeing the look in his eye (ok through the tv screen admittedly), there was just no way anyone was ever going to take that title away from him; I cannot ever see AM being so focused and yet relaxed. I don’t profess to know what will push AM to that win eventually; problem is, I can’t see Lendl having the skills to imbue him with that final bit and I do worry that AM may not ever be able to put this input in to practise

Yes, its going to be a make or break to some degree, but I think its will help him in some way.

Whether or not that realises a slam win is moot for now, but its sure gonna be interesting to see what Lendl can bring to his game.

Personally, I think this is going to be a major shift in his style of tennis and on court demeanor.

If it doesn't then Murray will have thrown his best chance away.

Lets not forget what it took to give Novak a huge leap in confidence in his game, that superb Serbian DC win. All it takes is a new perspective and an optimistic view of your chances. Lets hope Lendl can instill that and give Murray a new direction.

hawkeye wrote:Murray says there is no need to cut out on court tantrums

Andy Murray claims he does not need to eliminate on-court tantrums from his game
completely, but believes new coach Ivan Lendl can help him maintain his
focus when he does lose his rag.



Murray accepts his behaviour on court has at times been unacceptable -
the Scot has been in trouble for swearing on court and smashing his
racket in frustration. But the British No. 1 insists that tantrums will
not impede him, as long as he learns to respond in a positive manner.



http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/129982.html

My hunch appears to have been correct!

Jubbahey

What do you think of this? Murray says he will continue with the "tantrums".

But not completely.

Seems like he's listening to Lendl already, you can't change a leopards spots overnight. Sounds to me like he's trying to morph tantrums into positive aggression and focus more on cutting out the negative issues.

thats just my take on it.