Yep - Guardian suggests that Lendl (who is generally fed up with travel etc in his life) asked for quite a large pay rise and it was a sticking point. I suspect though that Andy doesnt need Ivan anymore really and over the past 6 months had relatively little to do with him, Jamie Delgado has proven himself and Lendl had become an expensive luxury. Jamie will stick with him it appears and I hope he gets the chance to take the front role full time.
As an aside, Dimitrov has played so well this week and indeed had a pretty good season, career best - Dani Valverdu is his coach and it is good to see him doing well; Leon Smith was certainly singing Dani's praises on the Radio 5 commentary as Dimitrov demolished carreno busta
Also, Stan and Raonic are clearly not right yet as they have dropped out of Abu Dhabi Mubudala event, Anderson and Rublev replacing them.
With Nishikori not right yet, it looks touch and go on how many of the big names that are injured make it to Melbourne, although Djoko looks good, at least for now.
Andy's limp after his exibition matches was a bit worrying ( the last time I saw Eleanor Dean was in Glasgow at the start of the year, playing very well with no obvious issue then visibly limping along the walkway straight after so I guess I worry about ongoing issues ).
But he does seem to be stepping things up. So here's hoping ...
There's an article by Stu Fraser in today's Times under the headline, "Doubts over Murray return" - opening paragraph:
Fears are growing that Andy Murray may not be ready for the start of the 2018 season, calling into doubt his participation at the Australian Open next month.
A little further on:
[Murray] returned to London last week, a few days earlier than expected, from his Miami training block.
And a reference to the limp:
Murray would be wise to heed such advice [Fed's "Take your time, however long it takes", offered at the Glasgow charity exhibition match] if he is still feeling discomfort in his right hip. Last month, he was still walking with a visible limp.
Yes, certainly if he's not right then look longer term.
If Andy does make the Aussie Open but can't / doesn't defend his final ( Doha 2017 ) points in the first week of the year he will drop to at best WR 18 on 08/01, the rankings on which the Aus Open seedings will be based.
Re some other at least doubts, Wawrinka is top 16 but Nishikori and Raonic are not so he would look quite likely then to be seeded outside the top 16 and seeded to meet a seed 9 to 16 in the last 32 ( Djokovic, Del Potro, Wawrinka if fit? )
Out of interest, when would Andy get a protected ranking? Is it after 6 months of inaction, and would it be the ranking he had at that point ie at end of US Open?
Not that he needs one at this stage, but just interested. He will obviously drop most of his ranking points come the summer if he ends up with a long lay off and could well need one come the summer season?
He has to apply for one within 6 months of his last tournament, and the ranking is the average position during the first three months of his injury
(ATP rulebook sections IX F 1 & 2)
Looks like djokovic had to pull out with his elbow in Abu Dhabi and Nadal has withdrawn from brisbane. Not looking good at this stage for all of the walking wounded to return for Melbourne...
Telegraph reporting that Andy has stepped in and also tournament Facebook page. Let's hope it works out ok for him, though disappointed for djoko. Fingers crossed. Result not important, playing a full match is the key for Andy
Well, I know it was only an exhibition match and a gentle run out, but for me Andy doesn't look any less injured than he did when he limped out against Querrey at Wimbledon last year. The result and scoreline today were irrelevant but I would be very surprised if Andy is fit enough to play by the Aussie Open.
Well, I know it was only an exhibition match and a gentle run out, but for me Andy doesn't look any less injured than he did when he limped out against Querrey at Wimbledon last year. The result and scoreline today were irrelevant but I would be very surprised if Andy is fit enough to play by the Aussie Open.
Hmm, doesn't sound good and I think alarm bells were already ringing a bit with his clearly later than originally intended travel down under.
I did say that I might well revisit my WR 1 prediction for Andy, and I suspect I will, but very difficult to assess what to change it to
Certainly rusty, and movement generally below par, although not bad in small patches. Serve not working well until near the end when he got a few more first serves in, and found some aces. Needs more practice time against top players, but doesn't look anywhere fit enough right now.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if he doesn't pull out. And with other players looking doubtful as well, who know what is going to happen this year.