8230;And Lendl smiled

Thats why I came on board,to help Andy win, Lendl said on Monday night. With the Olympics,he already had won a big one in my mind. Its maybe more difficult to win than the others because you have one chance in four years and here you have four chances in one year.

So,Lendl was certainly more delighted than he looked when it happened. I think that was almost a smile, Murray joked in the victory ceremony. Smiles are overrated, Lendl joked right back.

So it goes between the two baseliners from different generations. His sense of humour may be as sick as mine, Lendl,52,said. Wherever their banter and relationship goes,there can be little doubt now that hiring Lendl,the Czech-born American,who had never coached a professional player,was the right move.

I believed from the beginning, Lendl said. Whether it helped him to believe because I believed,youd have to ask Andy. The opportunity to ask Murray came soon after that.

He definitely helped,thats for sure, Murray said. Its hard to say in terms of a percentage how much difference he will have made. A lot of people didnt think that it was working well,and I wasnt learning from him. But Ive enjoyed working with him and listened a lot. Having him in your corner is a big bonus for anyone.

Soft corner

Lendl said he was approached by close to 10 players, but it was Murray who brought him back into the professional game. Im sure it gave a little boost to his ego tonight,after just nine months with him, Murray said,sparking laughter.

Lendl saw the talent and the opportunity and,above all,the work ethic. Hard work,hes not afraid of it, Lendl said. I knew I was going to enjoy working with Andy. Thats why we met so many times before we talked about it. So I can really understand what hes looking for,and I can show him how I like to go about things. To make sure we are on the same page. If we werent,it would be painful for both of us.