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Lendl can end Murray's 'crisis' - Becker

ESPN staff
March 29, 2011
Boris Becker: 'Andy Murray is in crisis, and requires crisis management' © Getty Images
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Andy Murray's current "crisis" will be eased if he teams up with Ivan Lendl, according to Boris Becker.

Murray's season has taken a nosedive after he lost in the final at the Australian Open, with the Scot suffering a hat-trick of opening-match exits at his last three tournaments.

The British No. 1 is currently without a full-time coach as he tries to wade through rocky waters, relying instead on the guidance of friend and training partner Dani Vallverdu.

He has reportedly been offered a lifeline by Lendl, who won eight grand-slam titles and held the world No. 1 ranking for 270 weeks, and Becker has urged him to accept the offer - although he also warned that the 23-year-old must curb his aggressive tendencies first.

"In his time, no-one worked as hard as Ivan did," he told the Telegraph. "It is no secret that he was not as talented as, say, John McEnroe, but he made up for that with his incredible discipline, hard work and determination, and he would expect the same from Andy.

"Ivan was a true modern professional, one of the first players to work so hard on his diet and fitness, and he was so dedicated to his tennis and to winning, so I don't think that he would allow any childish behaviour from Andy.

"I really wouldn't recommend, if they do end up working together, that Andy screams at Ivan, in the way he has maybe screamed at other coaches, as Ivan would not put up with that. Working with Ivan would be a big wake-up call for Andy.

"I really hope that Andy has accepted he needs an experienced coach, and that he needs help with his game. Andy is in crisis now and he requires some crisis management."

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