Andy Murray appoints Ivan Lendl as coach

Jan 1, 2012, 9:30 GMT

London - Andy Murray has ended 18 months of playing without an official coach, with the world number four Scot appointing former great Ivan Lendl as his new mentor.

The decision means that the 24-year-old will enter this month's Australian Open with the confidence that he has a wiser head onside to help with his game.

Murray has lost the last two Melbourne Grand Slam finals and is hoping to remedy that at the first major of the season starting on January 16.

Murray has been through a number of mentors during his career, including Mark Petchey and the former coach to Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick, American Brad Gilbert. He was last coached by fellow Scot Miles Maclagen until summer, 2010.

'I am really excited to have the opportunity to work with Andy,' Lendl told Murray's website, 'He is a unique talent and I look forward to trying to help him reach his goals.'

Murray said: 'It was important to me that any new person joining my team was able to add fresh insight. Ivan's impact on the game is unquestionable and he brings experience and knowledge that few others have, particularly in major tournaments. I look forward to working with him going forward.'

Lendl, a former number one, won eight Grand Slam titles during his career, with Murray coming up short in the three Grand Slam finals he's played. Murray is playing this week as top seed at the Brisbane ATP event which begins his 2012 season.

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