Who is Ivan Lendl? And when did Wimbledon finalist become Andy Murray’s coach?
Czech legend has helped Murray win three major titles since becoming his coach
WITH Wimbledon set to get underway on Monday, all eyes will be on Andy Murray to see whether he is able to retain his title at the All England Club.
But after an early exit from Queen's this year, Murray and his coaching staff are now re-thinking their plans ahead of the Championships.
Murray’s decorated coach Ivan Lendl will be influential in getting the Scotsman prepared to defend his SW19 crown.
Here is everything you need to know about his coach.
Who is Ivan Lendl?
Ivan Lendl is a retired professional tennis player and now coach who was born in Ostrava, Czechoslovakia (modern day Czech republic) in 1960.
Born into a “tennis-cantered family”, his mother Olga was of No 2 ranked tennis player in Czechoslovakia.
Lendl became a national champion in his age group for the first time at 12-years-old.
Turning pro in 1978, Lendl went on to win eight Grand Slam titles - although he lost two Wimbledon finals - and a record 22 Grand Prix Super Series titles in a career that lasted until 1994.
Lendl is regarded as one of the best ever, spending 270 weeks at world No 1 during the 1980s with his hard hitting forehand and heavy topspin style.
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When did he become Andy Murray’s coach?
Lendl became Andy Murray’s coach at the end of 2011.
The Czech, who has a reputation for being a hard task master, is credited with improving Murray's maturity on the court and his consistency - the Scot had been prone to outbursts and lapses of concentration when things didn't go his way.
Lendl helped Murray to the first Grand Slam victory of his career at the 2012 US Open, less than a year after his appointment.
It was the first Grand Slam win by a British man since Fred Perry in 1936 and the pair followed that up with an Olympic Gold at London 2012.
Lendl then helped Murray become the first British champion of Wimbledon since 1936, when he delighted the nation in winning the 2013 title.
In March 2014, Lendl ended his two-year coaching partnership with Murray, but returned after two years apart - during his time away, Murray failed to win another Grand Slam and briefly slipped out of the top 10 of the world rankings.
Lendl returned to Murray’s coaching staff in June 2016, leading him back to the top of the world rankings.
Murray also won Wimbledon again last year and became the first male ever to win the Olympic gold medal twice.