Lendl backs brave Murray

Ivan Lendl has praised Andy Murray for having the "guts" to hire him as coach.

The Scot turned to Lendl in a bid to end his search for a maiden grand slam title and the pair have been working in the build up to the Australian Open, which gets under way on Monday. The partnership is the talk of tennis and Lendl believes Murray deserves credit for his willingness to try something different.

The eight-time major winner told reporters at Kooyong: "So far he has done everything asked of him and I also admire his guts for hiring me because he had to know it would create a lot of interest and that it's not going to go unnoticed and be a quiet thing and it ups the ante a little bit."

He added: "I see a guy who wants to win, a guy who wants to work hard. He has been a pleasure to be with and work with."

Murray has lost in each of his three grand slam final appearances - failing even to win a set - while Lendl lost his first four before going on to achieve great success.

The 51-year-old said: "Obviously I see the parallels between his career and my career and I want his career to end up like mine."

Lendl claims to have turned down between seven and 10 offers to go into coaching before agreeing to link up with the world number four and he has been encouraged with how his things have gone so far.

"Obviously I really enjoy Andy's sense of humour," said Lendl. "Hopefully he enjoys mine.

"So, as I said, we've had good laughs - I think that's very important that it's not only work but fun as well."

Murray was on Friday drawn to face young American Ryan Harrison in the first round in Melbourne.