Andy Murray and Ivan Lendl end their coaching relationship

Ivan Lendl and Andy Murray

A nearly two-year relationship is coming to an end. In a surprising statement, published on Andy Murray’s website (http://www.andymurray.com/), the coach and his ward confirmed that they have mutually agreed to go their separate ways.

The arrival of Lendl at the Australian Open in 2012 brought much needed sharpness and resolve to the Brit who went on to collect an Olympic gold medal and Grand Slam titles at the US Open and Wimbledon.

“Working with Andy over the last two years has been a fantastic experience for me,” said Lendl. “He is a first class guy. Having helped him achieve his goal of winning major titles, I feel like it is time for me to concentrate on some of my own projects moving forward including playing more events around the world which I am really enjoying.”

In a parting shot filled with sentiment, Lendl added, “I will always be in Andy’s corner and wish him nothing but great success as he too goes into a new phase of his career.”

“I’m eternally grateful to Ivan for all his hard work over the past two years, the most successful of my career so far,” Murray said. “As a team, we’ve learned a lot and it will definitely be of benefit in the future. I’ll take some time with the team to consider the next steps and how we progress from here.”

The world No. 6 has a busy schedule ahead of him – he is in Miami to defend his Sony Open title and has the onerous task of guiding Great Britain against Italy in the Davis Cup quarterfinals this April. Meanwhile, Lendl will busy himself with tennis clinics, exhibition tennis and work at the Ivan Lendl Junior Tennis Academy.

The resilient Czech rubbed off some his dogged spirit on his ward, helping Murray win the gold medal at the London Olympics in 2012. The Scot went on to ride the momentum to clinch the US Open, his maiden Grand Slam title. With the monkey off his back, Murray played with greater freedom last year to become the first British player in 77 years to win the hallowed trophy at Wimbledon.

Murray is working his way back from a back surgery as he tries to establish himself back among the elite group of four, where he has belonged these past few seasons. But few if any, could have seen the split coming.