IVAN LENDL admitted yesterday that he and Andy Murray ended their fruitful relationship because he couldn’t commit enough time to the Scottish star.

The British number one took home Wimbledon gold under Lendl’s 18-month tutelage as well as the US Open and Wimbledon trophies.

But the pair went their separate ways in March, with Murray appointing Amelie Mauresmo to take over.

At the time Lendl said: “I feel like it is time for me to concentrate on some of my own projects.”

He added yesterday: “I didn’t feel I could give Andy the time that he needed. That’s what it was and there was nothing else behind it.

“Even 20 weeks was going to be hard for me and I think he needed even more than that.”

On the eve of the US Open, the 54-year-old has given his blessing to Murray’s partnership with Mauresmo, whose appointment initially raised many eyebrows among keen observers of the game.

“I’m glad Andy found Amelie who can give him the time he needs,” he added.

Lendl did have some advice for his successor, recommending Mauresmo listen carefully to Murray’s ever-present assistant coach and good friend Dani Vallverdu.

“The person who knows Andy the best from the guys is Dani, he is fantastic. He certainly didn’t get enough credit. People don’t understand how much I relied on Dani. And I hope Amelie relies on Dani as well because he knows Andy so well,” Lendl said.

“Many times he would come to me and say “Hey, you need to stop the practice.” And I would say “What? He’s done? He looks fine to me.” And Dani would say “No, he’s done.”

“And two or three minutes later he was done. So you hear that two or three times when he’s right and you start listening much better.”

Lendl, meanwhile, has not ruled out a return to coaching himself, saying: “Maybe eventually but it has to fit right.”