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Murray Sony Ericsson Open MUZZ BUZZ: ANDY MURRAY APPROACHED BY COACH IVAN LENDL

After ditching coach Miles Maclagan last year, Andy Murray‘s been living fast and loose when it comes to his coaching situation. Over the past season, he’s waxed poetic (by his standards) on going it alone; his mom’s returned to scouting matches; and his part time “consultant” Alex Corretja and/or traveling bestie Dani Vallverdu have been regulars in his box.

Sure, it’s cool to experiment, but there’s no way Andy Murray’s getting away with losing to Alex Bogolomov, Jr. in Miami this week. In straights.

So the latest buzz around the Muzz: Coach Ivan Lendl.

Via the Daily Mail:

Andy Murray will this week contemplate the fascinating possibility of a coaching link-up with Czech legend Ivan Lendl.

The eight-time Grand Slam winner has told friends that he is looking to take on his first coaching job as he seeks more involvement in the sport, and that the challenge of guiding Murray strongly appeals.

It is understood that informal contact has already been made, with an intermediary notifying the currently troubled world No 5 of Lendl’s interest in helping him. And on the face of it, there is a perfect dynamic between the two.

The perfect dynamic being that Ivan Lendl lost his first four Major finals (to Bjorg, Wilander and twice to Connors) before taking an impressive eight Major titles. How’s that for some relevant experience? Of course, Lendl has never actually worked as a coach before. Eh. . .

The BBC’s Jonathan Overland on the Lendl/Murray rumors:

The thing with Murray – something you understand watching and listening to him at close quarters over many years – is the more people tell him to do something, the less likely he is to do it.

It would take something truly remarkable for that relationship (between Murray and Lendl) to happen. Andy Murray has more chance of hiring Ivan the Terrible than Ivan Lendl.

I’m having flashbacks to Fed/McEnroe.

Murray’s former coach, Brad Gilbert, has this to offer (via Mirror):

“Murray is having a bit of a rough patch,” Gilbert said on his Twitter page.

“Repeat of last year, probably got hit harder this year. Just like a hangover, takes time to recover. He will come out of it.”

“At every level, the core of success depends on the level of confidence.”

Or ask Coach Fed - after all, Roger’s always been happy to offer his opinion on Murray’s form and psyche (via The Evening Standard):

“I struggled hugely when I was between 19 and 23, so for it to happen once in a while, I don’t think it’s that much of a worry. It’s important he picks it up before the French [Open] and Wimbledon but he’s too good a player to continue like this, so he’ll be all right.

“You can always lose in Rotterdam, you can always lose in Indian Wells, but it’s [worrying] if it becomes a trend and now, with the clay-court season looming, it’s obviously not a good sign for him.”

Don’t worry, Andy, you know even with the clay court season “looming” and all. You always have adidas guru Darren Cahill to fall back on. And your mom.

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