TENNIS: Andy Murray eyes long-term partnership with Lendl

Andy Murray has revealed he wants to continue his partnership with coach Ivan Lendl for the next five years.

The Scot won Olympic gold and the US Open last season under the guidance of the eight-times grand slam winner.

The pair have been working together since the start of the year and Murray claimed both are planning far ahead.

“Ivan and I have a very good relationship, it’s very honest and open, that’s why it has worked so well and why both of us are planning long term,” he said yesterday.

“We spoke at the end of last year and it was much more short term ‘let’s see how the first few months of the season go’. Now it’s, ‘What are we going to be doing in four or five years’ time?”’

Murray also admitted that only since his Olympic heroics has he felt able to walk around with his head held high.

He added: “Since the Olympics I just feel a bit better about myself.

“I find it easier to walk around with my head up, whereas before I was always head down, not wanting anyone to see me or say anything.

“Maybe I felt that having lost in grand slam finals I was letting whoever it was down.”