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Lendl prepares for 'Groundhog Day' with Murray

Murray announced his partnership with Lendl on new year's eve © Getty Images

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Ivan Lendl believes he knows what world No. 4 Andy Murray is going through as he bids to break his Grand Slam duck in 2012, because he has been there himself.

Murray confirmed that the Czech-born former world No. 1 is set to join his coaching team on Saturday, claiming Lendl will offer "fresh insight" in his quest to win a maiden major and eclipse the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

Like Murray, Lendl lost a series of grand slam finals - four defeats to Murray's three - before claiming the first of his eight majors at the 1984 French Open after teaming up with Australian coaching great Tony Roche.

But while Lendl recognises the parallels between the Scot's career to date and his own, it was the chance to work with a player whose mentality and personality he describes as "the best match-up" that led him to take his first coaching role.

"I know that we will get along very well," Lendl said in an interview with The Times. "He wants to do well, he is willing to work hard and strive to do what it takes. He looks extremely fit.

"To me, this is like Groundhog Day, I have been in this movie. I was that player once, who needed something to help make it work, it was the same as I was before I hired Rochey. What happened then changed my career around.

"What excites me about this partnership? More than anything, it is simply that this is absolutely the best match-up. Everything has begun to fall into place already.

"Our senses of humour are very similar and we have an understanding that we need to bring our best all the time if we want to achieve. I didn't get everything I wanted from tennis, not everyone does, but it is about not wasting chances. It does not mean that it will work as we want it, but I believe it will."

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