Alexander Zverev confirms Ivan Lendl, ex-coach of Andy Murray, has joined training team ahead of US Open
The German is still on the hunt for a first Grand Slam title but the employment of Lendl could be the final piece in the puzzle
ALEXANDER ZVEREV has appointed Andy Murray's former coach Ivan Lendl to his training team just days before the US Open starts.
Zverev announced the news on his Instagram page and will be hoping Lendl can help him win a first Grand Slam title.
The 21-year-old is ranked fourth in the world, behind Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro, but has only once gone beyond the fourth round at a major.
He was seeded second for the French Open this year but was knocked out by Dominic Thiem in the quarter-finals.
But with Lendl now in the camp, Zverev will be hoping the Czech-American can help him end his Grand Slam struggles.
Lendl will have to work quickly, though, with the US Open at Flushing Meadows getting underway on Monday.
Zverev has never gone beyond the second round in New York and his new partnership with Lendl could be the final piece in the puzzle for the talented 6ft 6in star.
Former coach Juan Carlos Ferrero split from the team earlier in 2018, with Lendl helping out temporarily before father Alexander Zverev Sr took over.
There were suggestions the player could join up with Novak Djokovic's ex-coach Boris Becker but he soon quashed those.
Zverev, known commonly as Sascha, may have been persuaded to stick with Lendl on a permanent basis following Murray's comments earlier this month, recommending the 58-year-old.
Most read in sport
Murray said: "Ivan's experience as a player is great. He played for a number of years at the top of the game.
"Sascha has spoken about some struggles in the Slams over the last couple of years, so I think Ivan would be able to help there, in the mindset, approach to these events.
"Sascha is already No 3 or 4 in the world, won Masters Series, been very consistent on the tour, looking to improve in the Slams.”
Lendl enjoyed a successful playing career spanning 16 years, retiring in 1994.
He won eight Grand Slam titles, including three US Opens, and lost a further 11 finals throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.
Lendl was Murray's coach between 2011 and 2014 before returning to the Brit's camp from 2016 to 2017, replacing Amelie Mauresmo.
And it was under Lendl that Murray won his only Grand Slams to date, the 2012 US Open and two Wimbledon titles, in 2013 and 2016.
The 31-year-old has been plagued by injuries over the last year and continued his comeback with appearances at the Citi Open and the Cincinnati Masters.
He lost in the first round in Cincinnati to Lucas Pouille but is expected to play at Flushing Meadows next week.
It has been a solid year on the court for the German winning titles in Munich, Madrid and Washington.
His Masters title in Madrid was his third and by winning in Spain he became only the fifth active player to win three or more Masters titles.
Djokovic leads the way on 31 Masters titles and this week became the first player to win all nine in the series.
Although Zverev's new coach Lendl did win all of the Grand Prix Super Series titles during his career.
Zverev caused a stir when he lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in Toronto, labelling his performance "pathetic" before saying he didn't think his opponent played well.
It's safe to say he enjoyed his press conferences at the French Open far more, taking a particular liking to a journalist's Yorkshire accent.
And he will no doubt be desperate to have plenty more press time in New York as he looks to stamp his authority on a Grand Slam for the first time under the watchful eye and guidance of new coach Lendl.