Ivan Will 'Lendl' a Helping Hand But It Is Murray Who Must Overcome the Obstacles

The appointment of Ivan Lendl as Andy Murray’s full-time coach has led to the inevitable discussion as to whether he could be the man to turn Murray the contender into Murray the Grand Slam champion.

The frustration and disappointment experienced by Murray and his fans at failing to land a coveted Slam, despite three finals, is a testament to the level at which he operates; amongst a small elite of players in a breakaway group setting new standards for men’s tennis.

There is no denying the British number one’s supreme talent. His first serve is immense as is his net play, while he is arguably the game’s most effective counter-puncher. His fitness and speed around the court is up there with the likes of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, who have used this element of their game to dominate the tour for the past three years. Murray’s second serve remains an area of his game in need of improvement, yet as we have seen time and time again, it has been his concentration - or other facets of his psychological mindset – that has let him down when it has mattered most.

Murray’s concentration almost cost him a shock first round Wimbledon exit last year when he lost the first set 6-4 to Spain’s Daniel Gimeno-Traver before responding emphatically by taking the third and fourth to love. He was then taken to five sets at the US Open during his second round clash with Dutchman Robin Hasse. A return of focus, and ultimately a gulf in class, saw him squeeze through on both occasions, but such incidents simply do not occur in the early rounds for the ruthless Djokovic and Nadal.

It perhaps sounds slightly harsh to pick out two matches in which he ultimately prevailed and subsequently progressed to the semi-finals of each tournament, but it does highlight a lack of mental fortitude that is possessed by the world’s top three.

On any given day, Murray has the game and the cutting edge to defeat Djokovic, Nadal and Roger Federer, yet he seems to capitulate when he reaches a major final. Eight victories over 16-time Slam champion Federer is a tribute to his ability, but a 0-9 sets record from his three Major final appearances clearly highlights his ultimate shortcoming.

The appointment of Lendl, an eight-time Grand Slam champion and one of the game’s all-time greats, proves that Murray is aware that his mental toughness is in need of solidifying if he is to join the Major champion club.

As a player, Lendl was recognised and revered for his mental toughness on the court. His apparent lack of charisma and steely focus made him appear almost robotic, yet it was that aspect of his game that saw him overcome four Grand Slam final defeats before winning his maiden Major at Roland Garros. Lendl went on to reach 19 Slam finals – including eight consecutive US Open finals – winning three of the Majors at least twice (only Wimbledon eluded him, although he did appear in two finals). Like Murray, Lendl – quite clearly - never lacked the talent to win Slams whilst he was striving to break his duck, it was just a matter of remaining positive and focussed.

Murray has revealed that he was impressed by Lendl’s honesty when they discussed the 51-year-old becoming his full-time coach, and how he hopes to draw on his experiences to help his own career.

"A lot of people are maybe too nice sometimes; they just don't want to upset you or say the wrong things,” the 24-year-old said.

"But he was very honest, very open and that was important. I liked what he said and how he felt about my game. I think he has been through a lot of the same things that I have been through, so I am sure he can help me mentally with certain things."

If there is a mentor that will be able to help Murray overcome concentration dips and improve his mental fortitude when it comes to those unique, high-pressured cauldrons they call Grand Slam finals, then Lendl is the man for the job.

Yet, we must not forget about his immense rivals. All three players ranked above the Scot are not there by accident. Nadal and Federer worked out the trick of achieving multiple Major wins years ago, and while it has taken Djokovic a little longer to get there, the fact that three of the four Grand Slam trophies currently sit on his mantle would prove he is now fully accustomed to racking up the big ones.

All three players are born champions with an insatiable appetite for success and that never disappears. Murray may have his own obstacles to overcome, particularly mentally, if he is to be crowned Britain’s first Major winner since Fred Perry in the mid-1930s, but it would be incredibly foolish to think a bolstered psychological approach is all it takes to challenge three of the game’s all-time greats. He certainly has the talent, it just depends on whether he can bring it all together the way his great rivals have mastered so effectively. Ultimately, it is all down to Murray, not Lendl, as to whether he can secure that Major trophy he so desperately desires.