Ivan Lendl

About

Ivan Lendl is a renowned Czech-American former professional tennis player and coach. Born on March 7, 1960, in Ostrava, Czechoslovakia, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Lendl's playing career spanned 17 years, during which he won 94 singles titles, including eight Grand Slam championships. He was a dominant force in the 1980s, known for his aggressive baseline style and powerful topspin forehand. Lendl held the world No. 1 ranking for 270 weeks and finished as the year-end No. 1 four times. Lendl's coaching career has been equally impressive. He notably transformed Andy Murray's career, helping him win his first two Grand Slam titles at the 2012 US Open and 2013 Wimbledon. Lendl's coaching style emphasizes mental toughness and strategic play, which significantly improved Murray's consistency and maturity. After parting ways with Murray, Lendl briefly coached Alexander Zverev before joining Hubert Hurkacz's team. His legacy in tennis extends beyond his playing and coaching achievements, as he is credited with pioneering the modern baseline power game that many contemporary players emulate.