“Rafa has done it in Australia, he can do it too”- Ivan Lendl backs Andy Murray to return to top with Wimbledon in sight

Ivan Lendl, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal

Andy Murray is slowly beginning to make his ascent after falling out of the top echelons of the game. The Brit has been plagued by injuries over the past few years and has been a shadow of his former self. But is steadily making his comeback from a career-threatening hip injury.

He started his 2022 season on a positive note with a runner-up finish at the ATP Sydney International, but since then the 34-year-old has faced second-round exits at all the other tournaments. In the hope to turn his season around, Murray reunited with former coach Ivan Lendl. The talented player-coach duo has enjoyed immense success over the years, with Murray winning all his three Grand Slam titles as well the World No.1 ranking under Lendl’s mentorship.

Lendl is now back in the coaching scene after splitting up with Alexander Zverev in 2019. The 62-year-old is back with Murray after four-and-half years. In their first tournament since the reunion, Murray faced a second-round exit at the 2022 Miami Open. The former World No.1 notched up a straight-set win in his opener but was unlucky to draw Daniil Medvedev in the second round, where he lost 6-4, 6-2 to the Russian.

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“Grass is probably Andy’s best surface“: Ivan Lendl plots Wimbledon run

But Lendl is seeing the positive side of this despite the setback. He took the example of Rafael Nadal, who made a stunning comeback to tour after facing a career-threatening injury last year. The Spaniard has won 3 titles this year, including a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. Lendl is hoping Murray can see a late-career renaissance akin to Nadal.

“You are asking this with a straight face after what Rafa [Nadal] has done in Australia. All these guys have incredible determination. They are just like bulldogs and they want to do things because they haven’t been done before. If they set their mind to it then they can achieve amazing things,” Lendl said as quoted by essentiallysports.

Lendl said Murray could probably thrive during the grasscourt season. The Brit had already announced he would be skipping the clay-court swing in order to prevent any further injuries. Murray has enjoyed quite the success at Wimbledon, having lifted the title twice and also winning an Olympic medal at the 2012 London Olympics the same center court.

“If they set their mind to it then they can achieve amazing things. Rafa said he wasn’t even sure he’s going to be able to play again, then he goes and wins the Australian Open so yes, these guys can do it. I would say grass is probably Andy’s best surface. A lot of the players, it’s their worst surface. That would obviously increase his chances,” he added.