Ivan Lendl

What if a tennis player's training changed the sport forever?

Ivan Lendl was a top tennis player in the 1980s and early 1990s. Born in 1960 in Ostrava, Czechoslovakia, Lendl became world number one and dominated tennis with a big, steady baseline game and a strong two-handed backhand.

He won eight Grand Slam singles titles — those are the biggest tournaments in tennis — and he spent many weeks as the world’s top-ranked player. Grand Slams include Wimbledon, the US Open, the French Open (Roland Garros), and the Australian Open. He also won almost 100 tournaments in his career. But what makes him special is how he practiced: running, lifting weights, and planning practice drills to stay fit and focused. Lendl played long, patient rallies and used power and precision to win points.

After he stopped playing, Lendl coached Andy Murray and helped him win big trophies, proving his ideas worked for the next generation. Lendl’s story teaches us that hard work, clear plans, and looking after your body can help anyone become better. If you love a game, practice with plans and try to get a little better every day — that’s the Lendl way! And remember: practice makes progress!