Former Andy Murray coach looks set to help out fellow CzechBerdych says move is matter of ‘the right time and timing’

Tomas Berdych thinks it is only a matter of “the right time and timing” before his fellow Czech Ivan Lendl, who walked out on Andy Murray in March, will agree to be his new coach.

The news will come as a shock to Murray when he lands in the UK after losing to Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals of the US Open. The break-up with Lendl, who helped Murray to win two slams and an Olympic gold medal, was bitter and swift – although he has settled in well with his replacement, Amélie Mauresmo. Lendl said in an interview with British reporters before the start of this tournament: “People ask me if I’m going to coach again. Maybe eventually if the situation is right. But the time now is not right.”

While it has never been confirmed that he also thought he deserved a substantial pay rise after their successful two years together – citing family commitments as the main reason for quitting – money is thought to have played at least a small part in his decision.

Berdych went out of this US Open when Marin Cilic – who put him out of Wimbledon in the third round – beat him for the fourth time in nine matches, 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 in two hours and 12 minutes in the third quarter-final on Thursday.

He said later about the possibility of hiring Lendl: “It’s something which I was thinking about, definitely.” Berdych, who is friendly with Murray, added: “I think [it] just needs probably the right time and timing to make it happen. Let’s see.”

Murray was not available for comment – which might be as well. The news would not have improved the Scot’s mood after losing in four sets to Djokovic, despite producing his best big-match tennis since beating the Serb in the Wimbledon final in 2013. Berdych, who has been coached by Tomas Krupa for several years, told the Guardian earlier this year: “You have to be extremely professional. That’s what I need to get the best out of my tennis.”

Cilic next plays the winner of the overnight quarter-final between Roger Federer and Gaël Monfils. Berdych, meanwhile, will prepare for his country’s Davis Cup tie against France in Paris next week – and it would be no surprise if Lendl was watching in the crowd. Although he has repatriated to the US, he keeps in regular touch with his homeland.