Andy Murray: In denial or on the right path?

What do you think about Murray's game and future?


  • Total voters
    76

Blinkism

Legend
I know I'm not the biggest Murray fan on these boards, but I'll try to make this objective as possible.

Murray was quoted as saying this:

"Those people who are still asking questions about my game – I'm not sure how to answer them," he says.

"What is it I need to do to prove that I can become a great player? I don't know what that is. In my view, it's been a good year. I improved my previous best in three of the Slams; I won six tournaments; I got my ranking up to No. 2 [in the South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings]. And, generally, I feel I am playing a lot better now than I ever did. I was searching for consistency last year and now I feel I have that. I don't feel that there have been any weeks where I felt my performance was a big let down."

I disagree with Murray. I think there has been many, many times where his game let him down and there are many things he needs to do to prove that he can become a great player.

Do agree with Murray's assessment's of where his game stands and of his 2009 season?

Personally, I don't.

Thoughts?
 

OddJack

G.O.A.T.
Murray needs a new coach. He needs to fire the minivan he takes around with him and rethink his whole game. If he doesnt make fundamental changes to his game 10 will be the same for him.
 
I think you quoted me in one of the poll choices. :lol:

I'm on record as saying he'll win a slam next year, though I do admit I'm a bit disenchanted with what I've seen from him since the USO. He won a title, which is good, but he also had a fairly disappointing loss to Stepanek in Paris.

He went 2-1 at the YEC, which is good. But he really didn't take charge in that Verdasco match. He'd be in the SF now if he'd won in straights.

But you have to remember he is coming off of injury.

All in all, I stand by my opinion, I think he'll win a slam next year, either Australia or Wimbledon. He still has a great h2h w/ JMDP, has done well recently vs Djokovic. I'd pick him against those two guys in a slam. It's going to be hard, but I think he can do it. Next year the slam contenders are, IMO.

1) Federer
2) Nadal
3) Murray
4) JMDP
5) Djokovic

That's just my opinion.
 

Blinkism

Legend
^^^
hey, your opinion is as good as any of the others, JBF#1

but, I still disagree because I don't see Murray having the ability to "peak" for the slams. The problem with Muzzer is that he has plateau'ed.

His best tennis is not that much better than his average tennis. The way he plays relies more on the hope that his opponent is simply going to go away in a match or was always going to lose. Any player who gives Murray a run for his money or is "on fire" will beat him. It'll take a lucky draw or a lot of under-performing from Murray's peers on the top, IMO, for him to win a slam in 2010.

He needs to re-tool his game. A champion needs to overcome that one hurdle before they win a slam.

Fed had to calm down and stop being a headcase
Djokovic needed to be consistent and focused
Del Potro needed to calm his nerves and improve his serves

Very few people are like Nadal, improving every season (before 2009, that is)...
 

Defcon

Hall of Fame
I hate Murray's game, but I know its effective. There's no reason he can't win a slam playing the way he does, there are plenty of players who can't handle his consistency and strangely irritating variety.

But he remains vulnerable to 2 types - the red hot basher, and someone like Fed/Nadal who's simply in a different league - Murray can do nothing against that. If he really wants to be a multi slam contender, he needs to recognize that weakness.
 

sh@de

Hall of Fame
I think you quoted me in one of the poll choices. :lol:

I'm on record as saying he'll win a slam next year, though I do admit I'm a bit disenchanted with what I've seen from him since the USO. He won a title, which is good, but he also had a fairly disappointing loss to Stepanek in Paris.

He went 2-1 at the YEC, which is good. But he really didn't take charge in that Verdasco match. He'd be in the SF now if he'd won in straights.

But you have to remember he is coming off of injury.

All in all, I stand by my opinion, I think he'll win a slam next year, either Australia or Wimbledon. He still has a great h2h w/ JMDP, has done well recently vs Djokovic. I'd pick him against those two guys in a slam. It's going to be hard, but I think he can do it. Next year the slam contenders are, IMO.

1) Federer
2) Nadal
3) Murray
4) JMDP
5) Djokovic


That's just my opinion.

For slam contenders next year, I actually think Djokovic has a better chance than Nadal, given what we know right now. Obviously, if Nadal comes back in 2010 much stronger than he is, then the situation is different. But if we take the players' current forms, I'd rank them:

1) Federer
2) Djokovic
3) JMDP
4) Nadal
5) Murray

To be honest, I don't really see Murray winning a slam in 2010. I think the other four have better chances. But who knows, loads of people thought Fed would never win another one after he lost Wimby 08, and look what happened...
 

Fedace

Banned
Murray will win the Wimbledon 2010 so everything will be good and he will become a GOD in England and replace Toni Blair as the Prime minister....
 

Tennis_Bum

Professional
I know I'm not the biggest Murray fan on these boards, but I'll try to make this objective as possible.

Murray was quoted as saying this:

"Those people who are still asking questions about my game – I'm not sure how to answer them," he says.

"What is it I need to do to prove that I can become a great player? I don't know what that is. In my view, it's been a good year. I improved my previous best in three of the Slams; I won six tournaments; I got my ranking up to No. 2 [in the South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings]. And, generally, I feel I am playing a lot better now than I ever did. I was searching for consistency last year and now I feel I have that. I don't feel that there have been any weeks where I felt my performance was a big let down."

I disagree with Murray. I think there has been many, many times where his game let him down and there are many things he needs to do to prove that he can become a great player.

Do agree with Murray's assessment's of where his game stands and of his 2009 season?

Personally, I don't.

Thoughts?

Murray is not a great player, he's a pusher. People are figuring out how to play Murray too. So all of his pushing is suddenly not producing good results. It's really hard to push your way to a championship match at slams and win it all. I don't see how Murray can win a slam in 2010 if he continues to play the way he has been. Unless, he plays more aggressive tennis during critical points at slams, I don't see him winning any slam in 2010. Of course, I can be wrong by 2010 AO, but Murray doesn't convince me yet. And just for the record, I can't stand a pushing game like Murray's.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
He attacked a bit more this week, and it's right to say he does need to be a bit more aggressive. He has the ability to do it, he hit a 99mph backhand winner against Verdasco on Thursday (something neither Soderling or del Potro did and they have both been hitting huge).

When he needs to attack more during the big moments in the big tournaments he doesn't feel comfortable doing it. I feel he needs to force himself to do it a bit more on court so he's used to it and it doesn't take him out of his comfort zone when he has to do it.

It's not like Hewitt who had to rely on speed and chasing balls down as he struggled to hit big, Murray has it but he's not really sure how and when to use it to his advantage.

My hope for him is he can work with Stefanki some time in the near future, the technique is there, he just needs someone to teach him how to use it and have confidence in it.
 

Blinkism

Legend
He attacked a bit more this week, and it's right to say he does need to be a bit more aggressive. He has the ability to do it, he hit a 99mph backhand winner against Verdasco on Thursday (something neither Soderling or del Potro did and they have both been hitting huge).

Unfortunately, these are isolated cases, IMO. Murray spends most of his time in defensive play.

When he needs to attack more during the big moments in the big tournaments he doesn't feel comfortable doing it. I feel he needs to force himself to do it a bit more on court so he's used to it and it doesn't take him out of his comfort zone when he has to do it.

I agree. He's in denial about that very thing though, IMO, which was kind of the point of this thread.

Do you think he's in denial, or is what he's saying correct?

It's not like Hewitt who had to rely on speed and chasing balls down as he struggled to hit big, Murray has it but he's not really sure how and when to use it to his advantage.

Sorry, Feña, I'm going to call BS on this. Hewitt hit harder than Murray in his prime. Just think back to, basically, the whole USO tournament, but especially the match against Roddick (one of my fav matches of the decade :)), in 2001.

Murray doesn't play like that, IMO. He's much more defensive. If you're thinking Hewitt 2004-present, then sure. Maybe...

My hope for him is he can work with Stefanki some time in the near future, the technique is there, he just needs someone to teach him how to use it and have confidence in it.

Perhaps. Stefanki's a good coach.

Those are some good points you've made, Feña. Thanks for the input :)
 

Fedex

Legend
but, I still disagree because I don't see Murray having the ability to "peak" for the slams.

Murray definitely has the talent and ability.
He's lacking mentally though.
He tried to hire Stefanki a few years ago.
I think you would have seen a far more successful Murray if that had been the case.
 

settolove

Rookie
Murray will need a very lucky draw to get to the final and even then he will be vulnerable to the journeyman who is on fire amongst other people. I'm not the biggest Murray fan in the world to say the least but even I can see he has a lot of talent. Way more talent than someone like Henman.

Murray's problem it seems to me is that he is far too content to sit back and wait for his opponent to make an error. He seems scared of making a mistake or something. You're not going to win a slam thinking like that.
 

malakas

Banned
I know I'm not the biggest Murray fan on these boards, but I'll try to make this objective as possible.

Murray was quoted as saying this:

"Those people who are still asking questions about my game – I'm not sure how to answer them," he says.

"What is it I need to do to prove that I can become a great player? I don't know what that is. In my view, it's been a good year. I improved my previous best in three of the Slams; I won six tournaments; I got my ranking up to No. 2 [in the South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings]. And, generally, I feel I am playing a lot better now than I ever did. I was searching for consistency last year and now I feel I have that. I don't feel that there have been any weeks where I felt my performance was a big let down."

I disagree with Murray. I think there has been many, many times where his game let him down and there are many things he needs to do to prove that he can become a great player.

Do agree with Murray's assessment's of where his game stands and of his 2009 season?

Personally, I don't.

Thoughts?

I agree with Murray.He IS a great player.This is typical british press one day asking him when he will replace Fed as no.1 and the next when he will retire.:rolleyes:

I also believe that Murray will win a slam in the near future -with the help of a good draw -and he is also extremely lucky to do so,because the timing could not be better-with Fed's aging and Nadal injuries/declining.

But he needs to play more agressively and try to do what Fed does and peak for the slams.
 

quest01

Hall of Fame
Murray may have a better year but I don't know if he'll win a slam. I don't know if he has it in him, he's not as mentally strong as some of the other top players.
 

broxi51

Rookie
murray has to sort his first serve percentage out next year. when he has a higher percentage, he plays more relaxed and attacks more like at the start of the year. Murray tends to be very defensive even in his return games when his first serve goes missing. Murray has got to start producing 60-65% first serve consistently. his first serve is actually one of the best in the game today.
 

TheTruth

G.O.A.T.
Murray seems to be in a transitional stage. It's one thing to know you have talent, and it's another to have the courage to actually believe it. They've been touting him forever to be the next best thing and then he'll have a difficult match and they'll be touting the next best thing and his name won't even be mentioned. It must be hard to get to the top and deal with the many expectations, then go on court and prove the hype is true.
 

Blinkism

Legend
I think it's good that Murray isn't participating in any tournaments before the Australian Open.

The longer he stays under the radar the better. Lord knows he doesn't need the kind of pressure he had last year at this time (definitely couldn't handle it)- winning Abu Dhabi and Doha back-to-back before the Aussie Open was probably a blessing and a curse at the same time for Muzzer.

I just hope he improved on that pusher game in the off-season...
 

chanee

Banned
murray has to sort his first serve percentage out next year. when he has a higher percentage, he plays more relaxed and attacks more like at the start of the year. Murray tends to be very defensive even in his return games when his first serve goes missing. Murray has got to start producing 60-65% first serve consistently. his first serve is actually one of the best in the game today.

This is a problem which i have noticed too in the last couple of months and it's really letting his whole game down since as you say it makes him turn more agressive as opposed to taking the ball early and be agressive. For example, against Del Potro his first serve percentage in the first set was very high until it let him down a little towards the end and Del Potro broke. It seems as though when his first serve is just below standard he struggles a bit. Hopefully in 2010 he's fixed that and wish that he will be playing very agressive. USO 2008 would be nice! :)
 

P_Agony

Banned
First, good thread Blinkism, it's nice to see you write something objective about Murray ;-)

Second, I think Andy was feeling the pressure of winning a slam and couldn't handle it. He's got the talent, he has the game, he has the brains and tactics, and he proved he can beat the top players, as Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Del Potro, all fell victim to Murray in some points of the year.

Murray has won MS titles and now it's the time to take it to the next level. There is pressure on him to win a slam, and he needs to stop thinking about winning a slam and start by winning one match at a time, keeping his focus and staying confident. I see him as a serious contender for the AO, and I hope he does well. I just wish he'd attack more and push less and stop with all the silly "come ons" on unforced errors.
 

CocaCola

Professional
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Sorry Andy, no slams for you in 2010 with these guys out there...
 

K Factor

Banned
Murray is not a great player, he's a pusher. People are figuring out how to play Murray too. So all of his pushing is suddenly not producing good results. It's really hard to push your way to a championship match at slams and win it all. I don't see how Murray can win a slam in 2010 if he continues to play the way he has been. Unless, he plays more aggressive tennis during critical points at slams, I don't see him winning any slam in 2010. Of course, I can be wrong by 2010 AO, but Murray doesn't convince me yet. And just for the record, I can't stand a pushing game like Murray's.

your right you are a great player! Murray has "pushed" his way past federer in their career matches. listen i dont care about what kind of style anyone plays-its all about the wins and the losses. murray gets the job done and its his opponents fault for not bringing enough pace.
 

Marshredder

Semi-Pro
Funny thing about the british tennis "community" that supports Murray is, they dont give a **** if he wins the US open, or the Australian open.

British people only care about Murray at Wimbledon. Rest of the year, Murrays grand slam progress doesnt even make the 6 o clock news sports.
 
Murray needs a new coach. He needs to fire the minivan he takes around with him and rethink his whole game. If he doesnt make fundamental changes to his game 10 will be the same for him.

Well done. Clear out all of that baggage except maybe Corretja.

Hes too big and heavy to be running around like a headless chicken. He should be ripping many more winners.

His posted weight is bogus imo.
 
Have corretja coach him full time. alex was 4 in the world and won the masters end of season event he knows what it takes and had a similar game to Murray.
 
think he wins australian open then all the yanks who hate Murray so much will shut up.


I have heard now that he has no talent, is a pusher, doesnt hit hard.



he has the best return of serve in tennis

he maybe the quickest guy in tennis

he hits 130 mph serves regluarly

he volleys as well as anyone.



He has too many options and doesnt knwo how to use his weapons. He is like Federer was in 01 02. Once he wins 1 he will win multiple grand slams
 

Don Felder

Semi-Pro
I think Murray's still waiting for the mental epiphany when he realizes how to stay calm and cool... think Agassi for the first 6, 7 years of his career. The way that happens is to be getting crushed 2 sets to none in a slam semi and to come back and win or something like that... think if he had come back while Cilic was steamrolling him this year at the USO.

That's what it takes, especially with players like Murray who don't have the wherewithal to just walk out at a slam and start bombing aces and huge groundies past players in a complete blackout, like Safin in his GS victories. He needs something to get over the mental hump that he clearly hasn't eclipsed yet. Until then, I think he's gonna be stuck stagnating.
 
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