US recruits Lendl to work with youngsters

LOS ANGELES: Former world number one Ivan Lendl has been recruited to help nurture the next generation of American tennis stars, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) said in a statement.
The 55-year-old Czech born legend, whose recent coaching successes include helping Andy Murray triumph at the US Open in 2012 and Wimbledon in 2013, is part of a team of former professionals who will work with youngsters, the USTA added.
American men’s tennis has failed to produce a Grand Slam singles champion for more than a decade, with Andy Roddick the last player to lift a major title at the 2003 US Open.
USTA player development general manager Martin Blackman said the input of Lendl, former world number seven Mardy Fish and 2008 Olympian Jill Craybas was part of a strategy to use past champions and professionals as coaches.
“We need to cultivate a culture that is characterized by a champion’s mindset, and when one of our young women or men spends time with a former champion, it will create a cultural connection that cannot be over-estimated.” Blackman said.
The statement also said that Lendl began working with a group of 15 and 16-year-old male tennis players at a training camp in Florida last week.