Hall of Fame brings closure to Lendl's career

For Ivan Lendl, induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame will be a perfect way to bring closure to a brilliant tennis career that brought him fame, fortune and eight Grand Slam titles.

"I don't really think about things such as my legacy in the game," Lendl said on a teleconference call from his winter home in Florida following Tuesday's announcement that he had been selected for Hall of Fame enshrinement.

"My time in tennis is over. The ceremony in July will be a great closure to my career and a part of my life which is over now," said the 40-year-old Lendl, who spent 270 weeks as the top-ranked tennis player in the world.

Lendl, who won 94 titles and reached the U.S. Open final every year from 1982 to 1989, clearly is no longer obsessed with the sport that once occupied his every waking minute.

But he readily admits that in his playing days, there was nothing more important than winning -- a single-minded focus that led to two Australian Opens, three French Opens and three U.S. Opens where he hoisted the champion's trophy.

He also considers leading his native Czechoslovakia to its lone Davis Cup title in 1980 an important moment in his illustrious career.

But no match, no tournament, and no opponent was too small to command his complete attention.

"I certainly did not enjoy losing, no matter where or when," said Lendl, who became an American citizen in 1992.

"There were matches that were absolutely meaningless, exhibitions I lost, and I had a hard time resting the night after that. It meant that somebody played or prepared better than I did."

WIMBLEDON FAILURES A DISTANT MEMORY

The one blemish on Lendl's sensational record was his inability to win Wimbledon despite playing in two finals at the All England Club.

His intensive quest to succeed at Wimbledon included twice skipping the French Open, where the red clay perfectly suited his heavy groundstroke game, to practice on grass.

Nowadays, Lendl says, he rarely gives Wimbledon a thought.

"I can promise you I never wake up in the morning and think about Wimbledon or tennis," Lendl said. "Obviously, though, I would have liked to have won Wimbledon. There's no secret about that."

He does not feel that his failures at Wimbledon should diminish his place among the pantheon of tennis greats, just as Pete Sampras will be remembered as one of the best ever to play the game even if he never wins the French Open.

"You can't take greatness away from a player just because they're missing one title," Lendl said. "John Newcombe, (Bjorn) Borg, (John) McEnroe, they were all missing a Grand Slam title.

"You cannot take anything away from Pete, but if he won the French, I'd have to give him more credit," said Lendl, whose come-from-behind victory in the 1984 Roland Garros final kept the French Open off McEnroe's Grand Slam resume.

NEVER PLAYS TENNIS

Lendl, who ended his career in 1995 due to back problems, only lifts a racket these days to help his young children practice. Four of his five daughters, all under 10 years of age, play on the New England junior tournament circuit.

"I don't play, I only feed balls for my kids to hit," said Lendl, who prefers the golf course to the tennis court.

"Other than that I don't play because, number one, my back hurts, and number two, I can't hit the ball the way I would like," he said. "It's too frustrating and I feel there's no need to put myself through it."

Lauded throughout his career for his amazing fitness, Lendl admits to being mightily impressed with the quality of play that the top players produce today.

"The power of the game, the strength, the talent, the athleticism they have has improved," he said. "They have more shots and are not afraid to go for their shots.

"The progress of the game is going in huge leaps. They're better athletes with better training and better coaching.

"I'm impressed how great they are."

When Lendl travels to Newport for the July 14 Hall of Fame induction ceremony it will be with a deep sense of satisfaction.

"Every kid when they're starting, they have their dreams," he said. "It was a dream of mine as a kid to be the best player in Czechoslovakia and the best in the world.

"I was fortunate enough that my dream came true."