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Cape Town - Andy Murray's coach Ivan Lendl says the Scot is the real no 1 tennis player in the world after his Wimbledon final triumph over top ranked Novak Djokovic.
Murray became the first British man in 77 years to win Wimbledon when he beat Djokovic in straight sets on Sunday, though he remains No 2 in the world rankings, almost 3 000 points behind the Serb.
However, Lendl believes Murray - who boasts two Grand Slams titles - now deserves to be recognised as the world's best.
"Under pressure right now Andy has two majors and a gold medal," Lendl told the Sky Sports website.
"Novak is a great player, don't get me wrong. He has had a phenomenal last 12 months and basically since the start of 2011, so the rankings look at all of that.
"(But) if somebody has two majors and an Olympic gold medal, and everybody else (holds) only one major, everybody can make their own opinion on that."
Lendl won eight majors in his own stellar career, and he believes the big titles, rather than rankings, are a true measure of success.
"Every champion knows how many majors they won," said Lendl. "Nobody remembers how many weeks they were number one."
No 1 Djokovic has won six Grand Slams compared to Murray's two. They are both 26 years old.
Murray became the first British man in 77 years to win Wimbledon when he beat Djokovic in straight sets on Sunday, though he remains No 2 in the world rankings, almost 3 000 points behind the Serb.
However, Lendl believes Murray - who boasts two Grand Slams titles - now deserves to be recognised as the world's best.
"Under pressure right now Andy has two majors and a gold medal," Lendl told the Sky Sports website.
"Novak is a great player, don't get me wrong. He has had a phenomenal last 12 months and basically since the start of 2011, so the rankings look at all of that.
"(But) if somebody has two majors and an Olympic gold medal, and everybody else (holds) only one major, everybody can make their own opinion on that."
Lendl won eight majors in his own stellar career, and he believes the big titles, rather than rankings, are a true measure of success.
"Every champion knows how many majors they won," said Lendl. "Nobody remembers how many weeks they were number one."
No 1 Djokovic has won six Grand Slams compared to Murray's two. They are both 26 years old.
