Lendl: My new hips can ‘ruin’ Djokovic
IVAN Lendl has revealed that a new set of hips are a major reason for him being able to return to Andy Murray’s side in his quest for more major titles.
His aim is also to ‘ruin’ Novak djokovic’s hopes of marching further into the history books as he reprises his role as Murray’s mentor-in-chief.
‘I feel younger because I sleep at night,’ said Lendl of his comeback to top-line coaching after more than two years. ‘ With the hips I wasn’t sleeping at night, so I feel a lot younger. I’m trying to get fitter again and I enjoy that part of it.’
djokovic has established himself as runaway world No 1 in Lendl’s absence, and the 56-year-old Czech knows he represents by far the biggest challenge.
‘There is the career Grand Slam, four in a row, calendar year Grand Slam and the Golden Slam (which includes the Olympics) and he has a chance to do that this year,’ said Lendl (right).
‘Andy and I would like to ruin those plans. It hasn’t been done for almost 50 years, so you have to respect that.’ The extent to which the latest Murray-Lendl alliance was hastily cobbled together last week becomes clear in that there is still no formal agreement between the two about how it is going to pan out after Wimbledon. The 29-year-old Scot mentioned 18 to 20 weeks per year, but this is clearly up for negotiation. Asked if there was anything cast- iron in place Lendl replied with a mischievous glint: ‘No. We will figure it out. I kind of chuckle when I read something and it’s 18 to 20 weeks. I learn something every day.’ Murray plays a British opponent for the first time in nearly nine years today when he faces Aljaz Bedene in the second round of the Aegon Championships. Wimbledon have given main draw wildcards, worth a minimum of £30,000, to British players James Ward, Alex Ward, Liam Broady, Laura Robson, Katie Swan and Tara Moore.