• Australian Open

Murray and I have to respect each other - Lendl

ESPN staff
January 14, 2012
Ivan Lendl believes he is well suited to Andy Murray © Getty Images
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Ivan Lendl insists he would not have agreed to become Andy Murray's coach if he did not believe it would be a successful venture.

Murray, who had been without a full-time coach since July 2010, appointed former world No. 1 Lendl ahead of the 2012 season.

The Scot kicked off the season with victory at the Brisbane International, before winning his Australian Open warm-up match against David Nalbandian at the Kooyong Classic on Friday.

Murray is looking to go one better at the Australian Open, where he has been the beaten finalist for the last two years. He kicks off his campaign against up-and-coming American Ryan Harrison on Tuesday.

Speaking to the media at Melbourne Park, Lendl claims he and Murray are well suited to work together.

"It has to be a good match-up personality wise, and I believe it is. You have to respect each other," Lendl said. "He is asking a lot of questions which is great. We've had a good time, had good laughs.

"We met a few times in Florida and that was one thing I asked for, a few meetings, so we could see how everyone is."

Lendl has no previous coaching experience, but having lost his first four grand slam finals before going on to win eight majors, he believes Murray is close to breaking his grand slam duck.

"I think what is important is to focus on the long term and let results come to you," he said. "A player needs to mature and I believe Andy is getting there.

"He was heavily criticised for losing to [Novak] Djokovic at the start of the year but look what a year Novak had. If that had happened later in the year nobody would be criticising Andy the way they did."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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