FLORIDA — Germany's Alex Zverev said Tuesday he had added Ivan Lendl to his coaching team as he looks to convert his burgeoning potential into Grand Slam success.

Zverev posted a message on Instagram welcoming Lendl to his team with the pair having trained together in Florida this year.

The 21-year-old, known as Sascha, had been working with Juan Carlos Ferrero but split with the Spaniard earlier this year.

Lendl's manager Jerry Solomon posted a tweet quoting the Czech-born tennis great saying: "Sascha has a unique set of skills and a great work ethic so I am looking forward to helping him achieve his goals.”

Lendl has had two successful spells working with Andy Murray, helping the Briton secure his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open, two Wimbledon crowns and two Olympic gold medals.

The 58-year-old Lendl, who won 94 singles titles in his 16-year professional playing career, including eight Grand Slams, split with Murray for the second time in November last year.

World No. 4 Zverev, a towering figure at six feet six inches (1.98 metres), has won nine singles titles but has yet to get past the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam.

He heads into next week's US Open having never reached the third round at Flushing Meadows.

Zverev won two titles on clay this year before warming up for the US Open by winning in Washington for the second straight year.

Konta pulls out of Connecticut

British No. 1 Johanna Konta withdrew from the final US Open tune-up event in Connecticut with a viral illness, tournament organizers said Tuesday.

Konta, who beat German Laura Siegemund in the first round of the Connecticut Open, was due to face Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro Tuesday in New Haven.

The world No. 46 is currently the only British woman with direct entry into the main draw of the Aug. 27-Sept. 9 US Open, where last year she was seeded seventh and suffered a shock defeat in the first round.

Konta, who last year became the first British woman to reach the Wimbledon semifinals, was enjoying an encouraging North American hardcourt campaign after reaching the quarterfinals in San Jose and round of 16 in Montreal.

Three weeks ago in San Jose, Konta handed 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams the worst defeat of her career in her most impressive win of the season. — Reuters