Berlin (AFP)
Ivan Lendl has decided to end his collaboration with Alexander Zverev, N.5 world, he coached for a year, according to a statement transmitted Friday to AFP by the agent of the former American player.
"I believe in Sacha (diminutive Alexander, Ed), who is still very young.I think he will become a great player.But the extras sports problems he has at the moment prevent me from working the I wish him the best for the future, "said Lendl in this release.
The relationship between the two men had deteriorated recently, the German player of 22 years criticizing the lack of involvement of his coach.
"Sometimes I go on the courts to train for two hours but for half an hour, he will tell me how he played golf yesterday.In addition to that, Lendl has a new dog with whom he spends a lot of time" Zverev reported at a press conference on the sidelines of the ATP tournament in Hamburg.
After his defeat this season in the first round of Wimbledon, one of four Grand Slam tournaments, Lendl advised Zverev to "focus more on tennis".
"As far as my work ethic is concerned, I'm pretty confident that my track record speaks for me," said Lendl, who has won 94 ATP tournaments in his career.
Under his command, Alexander Zverev won the end-of-season Masters in 2018, the most prestigious victory of his career.
Lendl, 59, eight-time winner of the Grand Slam tournaments, had formerly coached the Scottish Andy Murray, triple winner of a Grand Slam tournament.
© 2019 AFP