"Some great memories": Andy Murray splits from coach Ivan Lendl for third time after tough season

Andy Murray has split with his longtime coach Ivan Lendl for the third time in his career after a disappointing season.

The former World No. 1 looked to be on good form this season but was not getting the results to show for it. Instead, Murray has suffered a string of early exits at tournaments, including a second-round defeat to Stefanos Tsitsipas at Wimbledon and to Grigor Dimitrov at the US Open.

At the Paris Masters, it looked as though the 36-year-old was about to turn things around when he found himself serving for the match at 5-2 against World No. 12 Alex de Minaur. However, the Australian player was able to fight back and won the close-knit clash 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-5. After the match, Murray was clearly frustrated and was reportedly heard breaking rackets "in the parking lot" of the venue.

The Brit brought Czech-American coach Lendl back into his coaching team in March of this year. Prior to this, the 63-year-old had helped Murray to all three of his Grand Slam titles - at the US Open in 2012 and at Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016.

"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," said Murray after he announced the split, "He’s a unique character, who understands what it takes to win and I’ve learnt an awful lot over the years from him."

Meanwhile, Lendl also had some kind parting words for Murray, praising his work ethic and his positive impact on the sport. "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," he said.

Murray will continue working with the rest of his current coaching team, including Dan Evans' former coach Mark Hilton and doubles specialist Jonny O'Mara. Lendl first started working with Murray back in 2011 before they parted ways in 2014. They then re-joined forces in 2016, when Murray achieved further success with a third major title and a second Olympic Gold medal.

However, their collaboration was much less fruitful this time around, although there are several factors that have changed in the last seven years. Most notably, Murray now plays with a metal hip after he had to undergo a hip replacement in 2017. Moreover, some fans had some ideas as to why it didn't work out so well this time around.

"Ivan Lendl was never really able to commit to being there week-in-week-out for Andy Murray. Lendl's whole turn-up-for-the-majors style of coaching worked well when Murray was world number 1 but it was never going to be effective with him still trying to find his rhythm again," wrote one fan on X, formerly known as Twitter.