Murray 2024 housekeeping: Lendl out again

Andy Murray has tidied up his tennis life yet again. And the Scot has cleared away some excess baggage as he parts company with coach Ivan Lendl for the second time.

The former No. 1 whose ranking languishes  at its current 42nd, has been spinning his wheels for much of this season, losing five of seven Tour matches since the US Open.

And the 36-year-old has decided to start the 2024 season in Brisbane on December 31 without the services of former great Lendl. The pair had a similar coaching arrangement up to a decade ago, which also fizzled out on two occasions.

Murray worked with the Czech-born American aged 63 from 2012-2014 and 2016-2017. Their latest iteration began in 2022.

The Scot won the last of his three Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon, 2016.

 Murray’s last match of this season was a bitter defeat by Alex de Minaur which reportedly resulted in the loser smashing racquets to pieces in the parking lot of the Bercy arena.

“Ivan has been by my side at the biggest moments in my career and I can’t thank him enough for all that he’s helped me achieve,” Murray said.

“He’s a unique character, who understands what it takes to win and I’ve learnt an awful lot over the years from him.”

Lendl added in a statement: “I will look back with some great memories of the time Andy and I worked together. 

“He’s as hard a worker as there is and the sport is better because of him. I wish him only the best in the years to come.”