Tennis great Ivan Lendl asks $19.75 million for Connecticut estate

Ivan Lendl, the former world No. 1 professional tennis player and winner of eight Grand Slam singles titles, has served up his 450-acre estate in Litchfield County, Conn., for sale at $19.75 million.

The retired tennis pro purchased the land, found in Goshen, Conn., in the late 1980s and completed construction on a stone Georgian manor in 1992. The estate had previously served as the family home and full-time residence of Lendl and his wife, who raised four of their five children on the property.

Spanning four levels, the main residence counts slate flooring, delicate molding, raised paneling, a double staircase and four fireplaces among its defining features. In all, the 25,000 square feet of living space has 20 rooms, 10 bedrooms, 12 full bathrooms and three half baths.

Fit for a world-class sportsman, athletic amenities include a lower-level gymnasium of more than 1,800 square feet, separate tennis and basketball courts, an exercise room with steam rooms, a game room and indoor and outdoor pools.

A caretaker’s cottage, formal gardens, a horse barn and paddock also are found on the expansive grounds.

Lendl previously listed the estate for sale in 2005 for $25 million. Its new price is reflective of the current market conditions in Litchfield County, according to co-listing agents Kathryn Clair and Pat Kennedy Lahoud of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty.

“This is a weekend/second-home market primarily, and not limited to those from New York City and Lower Fairfield County, as we are now seeing an influx of a number of Hampton homeowners,” said Lahoud. “Residents include Wall Street professionals, sports figures, actors, writers, artists and more.”

The Czechoslovakia-born player, 54, won 1,071 singles matches and 94 singles titles, trailing only Jimmy Connors in both categories. He retired in 1994 and, in recent years, served as coach to Andy Murray.