Andy Murray splits with coach Ivan Lendl for a second time as Scot focuses on return from injury in new year

Simon Briggs
Updated
Andy Murray (left) and Ivan Lendl have once again gone their separate ways - Getty Images North America
Andy Murray (left) and Ivan Lendl have once again gone their separate ways - Getty Images North America

Andy Murray’s long injury lay-off has put paid to his coaching relationship with Ivan Lendl, it emerged on Friday night. In a statement, Murray thanked his stony-faced mentor, and said that he was working towards a return to the tour in the new year.

This is the end of Murray’s second stint with Lendl. The first ran from the beginning of 2012 to the spring of 2014, and ended partly as a result of Murray’s decision to undergo back surgery in September 2013. They then reunited in June 2016, and enjoyed immediate success as Murray claimed his second Wimbledon title. But they have barely had a chance to work together this year because of a variety of fitness issues.

From Lendl’s perspective, the main attraction of this alliance was the chance to lift significant titles. He came back on board last year just as his old client was running into form, and oversaw an extraordinary period in which Murray won 52 out of 55 matches before the end of the season. Yet such feats feel far away at present, as Murray battles a chronic hip condition that still has him walking with a pronounced limp.

For Murray, meanwhile, Lendl must be an expensive luxury when you are unable to play. The last time they split, he interviewed a variety of coaches and appointed Amelie Mauresmo around two months later. But he already has a loyal accomplice in Jamie Delgado, who seems perfectly capable of holding the fort for the moment.

As Murray explained “My focus now is on getting ready for Australia with the team I have in place and getting back to competing.” He is still aiming to play in Brisbane in the first week of January, although this is little more than six weeks away, and some tennis insiders still feel it could be an ambitious goal.

Lendl will continue to work part-time for the United States Tennis Association, where he oversees half-a-dozen outstanding teenagers. “I wish Andy well going forward,” he said. “We had a great run and a lot of fun."

Meanwhile Andy’s brother Jamie will play in Saturday evening’s semi-final at the O2 Arena after he and Bruno Soares scored a 6-2, 6-4 victory over the world’s top-ranked doubles pairing Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo.