Ivan Lendl wants Andy Murray to get meaner at the courts – Tennis News
Former world number one, Ivan Lendl, has advised the reigning US Open Champion, Andy Murray, to be a bit arrogant at the court. ‘Too sweet’ strategy can backfire at the 25-year-old Briton because other players take benefit from
the overly cautious display of the third ranked Scot. It will all start at the training session and Murray will be seen getting meaner at the courts in the upcoming season.
The Czech-American said, “I think Andy is too nice sometimes. You can only play the way you practice — there’s no way you’re going to play differently than the way you practice. At least I don’t see it.”
Commenting about the practice of Murray with the fellow Scot Jamie Baker, the coach said, “Andy knew what I wanted (during a particular rally). I wanted it buried, either in the corner or in the guy’s nuts, but bury it somewhere.”
He further added, “Part of our discussions with Andy (before becoming his coach) was me getting to know him a little bit and see if he is as committed as I would be if I did it. The answer was yes.”
Lendl has helped the number one Briton to accomplish something that he was craving since his start of the professional career; a Grand Slam title. Murray started to threaten the top seeds at the Wimbledon Championships where he
reached the final and almost clinched the victory at the home soil before the 31-year-old Swiss Maestro, Roger Federer, fought back to bag the 17th Grand Slam title of his career. However, the hard work paid off at the London Olympics where the
Scot gathered his first Gold Medal of the career; carried the momentum into the US Open in New York and clinched the maiden Major trophy in the same year.
Murray’s coach is preparing him to add more Grand Slam titles to his tally in 2013. He doesn’t want the Scot to live in the dream world of 2012 and has already issued an ultimatum to get better than ever. The comeback of the 11-time
Grand Slam Champion, Rafael Nadal, will definitely toughen up the contest for the Briton to capture more Major trophies. However, there is no doubt that he can revive the enthusiasm shown in the US Open in the upcoming Major events.
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