Boris Becker thinks Andy Murray and Ivan Lendl could have spent more time together

Lendl was by Murray's side at the Australian Open in January, but it was not until last Sunday that they reunited, with the French Open starting in Paris next week.

The pair's arrangement is such that Lendl tends only to come to the major events, leaving Murray's full-time coach Jamie Delgado to run sessions in the meantime.

Murray ended 2016 as world number one after winning five titles in a row, but exited the Australian Open in the last 16 and has failed to go past the third round in four of his six tournaments since.

Becker, whose own highly-successful partnership with Novak Djokovic ended in December, has questioned whether Lendl gives enough time to his charge.

"Am I surprised he hasn't been around more? A little bit," Becker said.

"When I first asked to work for Novak, the original idea was the grand slams only and I said, 'I don't think that is possible. I have to see you more than just a couple of days before grand slams to know where you are. I have to know the ups and downs and really get to know you in lesser tournaments'.

"So I told him, 'If I am going to do that, I have to be with you more'. But that is their arrangement.

"That is what worked last year, that was part of the deal. But I think, if both were honest, the gap between Melbourne and the French was maybe a little long."

Djokovic is hoping to spark a resurgence of his own by joining forces with eight-time major champion Andre Agassi during the French Open.

Agassi's task will to be rejuvenate the Serbian, who three weeks ago parted ways with his entire coaching team following a hugely disappointing 11 months.

"We're still close, we still talk a lot. I heard the name Agassi for a while and I think it's a good choice," Becker said.

"Ideally you don't want to start at the French Open with a new partnership. You want to start a few weeks before, so I hope, and they're both experienced, that they click quickly.

"Andre's tennis expertise are second to none and I think their personalities would fit." 

Becker added: "Interestingly enough Andre won his most important titles late in his career and I think that's another point that fits – Novak has obviously won everything in his life, but is looking for new inspiration and he can talk to a guy who won most of his grand slams in his thirties."

Just as Djokovic failed to maintain his level after completing a career grand slam at Roland Garros last year, Murray has admitted to a drop in motivation since climbing to the top of the world rankings.

"It is tough for these guys. They have a week or two to celebrate and then they have to go off to training camp. No other sport has that," Becker said.

"Obviously clay is not his best surface, but I hope I hope he is going to win at least a couple of matches just to be ready for the grass. That is his signature, Queen's and Wimbledon, but it all starts with the first round in Paris."

That Becker would consider winning a "couple of matches" as a relative success for Murray at the French Open is remarkable, but perhaps symptomatic of reduced expectations surrounding last year's runner-up.

Rafael Nadal's excellent clay-court season makes him the stand-out favourite, but Murray cannot be written off.

"Maybe less expectation will help him," Becker said.

"I have done a round of interviews for Eurosport two days ago and there was not one question about Andy Murray. I said, 'Guys, come on, you have not asked me about the number one player in the world'. That is something strange I find.

"Maybe it plays in Andy's favour now that no-one talks about him at the French, maybe it gives him more comfort. I hope so, I like him, I want him to do well."

Becker was speaking at an announcement on Thursday that London will remain the host city for the ATP Finals until 2020.