Andy Murray says he would consider having Ivan Lendl as his coach again after splitting from Amelie Mauresmo on Monday.
Lendl was Murray’s coach from 2012 to 2014, a highly successful period including the Scot’s 2012 US Open title and Wimbledon triumph a year later, before they mutually agreed to go their separate ways.
After beating Mikhail Kukushkin 6-3 6-3 to reach the third round of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome yesterday, Murray was asked about reuniting with Lendl.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, he replied: “Sure, I’d certainly consider it. I had fantastic results working with Ivan.
“Both of us I think enjoyed it enough to at least consider that. Whether or not it’s something that can work I’m not sure, I’ll have to wait and see but I’m not against that idea at all.”
Murray is keen to get a new coach soon and wants to get the ball rolling after this tournament.
He added: “I’ll definitely do that when I’m finished here, just to get an idea and get things moving forward because, if not, we get into the French Open, it’s another couple of weeks and four or five weeks go past quick.
“Then you’re into the grass-court season and that’s obviously a pretty important and fairly stressful time of year too, so I’ll try and make some progress with that in the next week or two.”
Murray and Mauresmo confirmed the end of their near two-year partnership a day after the Scot lost to Novak Djokovic in the final of the Madrid Open.
Assistant coach Jamie Delgado and Great Britain Davis Cup captain Leon Smith were in Murray’s box for his clash with Kukushkin.
The two-time grand slam champion did not look overly comfortable in the early stages but his serve kept him out of trouble and wrapped up victory after an hour and 24 minutes.
The Scot lost his World No 2 spot to Roger Federer on Monday but a good run in Rome would see him take it back in time for the French Open.
Murray will play Jeremy Chardy in the third round after the Frenchman beat Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6 (8/6), 6-4.
Heather Watson meanwhile was unable to capitalise on a flying start in a 6-4 6-2 loss to Barbora Strycova in Rome yesterday.
The British No 2 won the opening four games against her Czech opponent but then lost 12 of the next 14 to slip to a second-round defeat.
Johanna Konta claimed another top-10 scalp with victory over home favourite Roberta Vinci in the second round.
The British No 1 continued her remarkable season by seeing off the World No 7 6-0 6-4.
