8-time Slam champ Ivan Lendl helps USTA try to develop stars

Ivan Lendl is getting back into coaching to try to groom the next American tennis champion.

Lendl, an eight-time Grand Slam title winner and former coach of Andy Murray, has started working with about a half-dozen 15- and 16-year-old boys as part of the U.S. Tennis Association’s player development program.

Lendl has agreed to spend 50 days over the next year with the group, including a training camp that began late last month.

The USTA plans to announce Lendl’s involvement Tuesday, along with that of two other former players who will be coaching young American pros: Mardy Fish and Jill Craybas.

The 55-year-old Lendl tells The Associated Press: “I enjoy working with younger players. You can form them and help them the most.”