Fed surprised Murray AO Favorite

[Sentinel]

Just saw this in an article:
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=ap-federer-murray&prov=ap&type=lgns

A clip:

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP)—Roger Federer usually starts as the favorite to win the Australian Open, so he wanted to know who had the audacity to put Andy Murray ahead of him.
Federer arrived in Australia over the weekend after losing to Murray in the semifinals at Doha, Qatar. Some British bookmakers listed Murray as the favorite for the Jan. 19-Feb. 1 event after he defended his Doha title and won an exhibition at Abu Dhabi, also featuring Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Federer, who will equal Pete Sampras’ record 14 Grand Slam titles if he wins his fourth Australian Open final, was surprised to hear it.
“Who said that? The bookies? Good for him,” Federer said Tuesday at a news conference for the Kooyong exhibition tournament, his traditional tuneup for the year’s first major. “It doesn’t help him a whole lot. I’ve been in that position before as well and didn’t make it.”

Federer said Murray, a 21-year-old from Dunblane, Scotland, was a contender due to his form and No. 4 ranking, but winning a Grand Slam was a new level.
Federer and Nadal have won 14 of the last 15 Grand Slam titles, with only third-ranked Novak Djokovic breaking the sequence when he won the last Australian title.
“He’s put himself in a great position. He started off well, going well in Doha. He finished strong last year. It still does surprise me that the bookies say that,” Federer said. “He’s never won a Slam.
“Novak is the defending champion here. Rafa had an incredible season last year. I won the last slam of last season. It’s surprising to hear.”

“He’s shown for a year now he’s knocking on the door, trying to make his move,” Federer said. “Sure, he’s put himself in a position, but winning a Grand Slam is a different animal.
“Not many guys have been able to win a Grand Slam in the last few years. Rafa and me took a lot of them, Novak won here last year. They don’t come easily.”

 

[Tennisguy777]

Haha seems like Fed is taking it personally!

 

[jamesblakefan#1]

I agree with Roger, even those he should've just said something like "the rankings determine the favorites, bookies don't matter" etc. But seeing as how he's not #1 anymore, he probably didn't wanna say that. He just comes off as a bit of a d*ck by saying this a/b Murray, whos owned him recently.

 

[klementine]

It's a major right? I thought a grand slam was all four majors in a calendar year.

It's hard to stay competitive and hungry, yet still stay humble and accepting. I agree with Federer's tone and thought process. Now we'll see how the Scot does with the added pressure of being one of the favorites. BTW, Vegas still has Federer at +250 and Murray at +300.

 

[LanceStern]

Is there anyway Fed could say that without someone blowing it out of proportions? Cause I think some people will take it like that.

I agree with his surprise, but I can also see why people see Murray as the favorite. He's been kciking butt lately.

 

[LeftySpin]

It looks like Fed is counting Murray out too soon. Dispite the fact that Murray has an outstanding record right now, and has defeated him and Nadal. To me it looks like he is saying, Murray hasn't won a grand slam so he probably won't. Logically this doesn't make sense, all fo the top players had no slams when they started. Murray did make it to the US Open, yes they are slightly different courts, but this doesn't hide the fact that he can get far. I think Fed might be underestimating him

 

[SirBlend12]

Well, he's not wrong. The top 3 contenders have a combined 19 Slams to his... none.

Someone who can steer really needs to grab the reigns of this bandwagon.

Sure, anyone can make all the excuses they want- Fed's old, Rafa's got grandma knees, Novak is the Bionic Man (being able to live with all these injuries for so long?!), but the fact is, 2 out of 3 there are about Murray's age and have done MUCH more with their careers.

I wouldn't be shocked if he ended up as Stepanek's next meal in Melbourne.

Trends may come and go, but legends never die.

 

[MajinX]

It's a major right? I thought a grand slam was all four majors in a calendar year.

It's hard to stay competitive and hungry, yet still stay humble and accepting. I agree with Federer's tone and thought process. Now we'll see how the Scot does with the added pressure of being one of the favorites. BTW, Vegas still has Federer at +250 and Murray at +300.

THE grand slam is a calender grandslam win, each major are called grand slams, they mean the same thing. the USO is A grandslam, winning all 4 grandslams is THE grandslam.

 

[LanceStern]

THE grand slam is a calender grandslam win, each major are called grand slams, they mean the same thing. the USO is A grandslam, winning all 4 grandslams is THE grandslam.

I hate how that is. It's not cool.

 

[iamke55]

Federer is just frustrated that everybody in the top 10 (possibly even Roddick) has a better backhand than he does right now. His ground game against Murray in Doha was pathetic; as soon as the serve came back into play, he was done or Murray would choke and make a bad error.

 

[DoubleDeuce]

Well, he's not wrong. The top 3 contenders have a combined 19 Slams to his... none.

Someone who can steer really needs to grab the reigns of this bandwagon.

Sure, anyone can make all the excuses they want- Fed's old, Rafa's got grandma knees, Novak is the Bionic Man (being able to live with all these injuries for so long?!), but the fact is, 2 out of 3 there are about Murray's age and have done MUCH more with their careers.

I wouldn't be shocked if he ended up as Stepanek's next meal in Melbourne.

Trends may come and go, but legends never die.

Yes. I can't see how this can help him either. If anything it will put more pressure on him plus he might have peaked too soon. I also think his chances has alot to do with the draw he gets.
Djokovic never produced such a hype even though he has achieved much more as you mentioned.

 

[SempreSami]

Yes. I can't see how this can help him either. If anything it will put more pressure on him plus he might have peaked too soon. I also think his chances has alot to do with the draw he gets.
Djokovic never produced such a hype even though he has achieved much more as you mentioned.

I've never seen you say this before, nope, never. :roll:

 

[DoubleDeuce]

I've never seen you say this before, nope, never. :roll:

More coming, now that you like it so much

 

[Lendl and Federer Fan]

It should not be a surprise that Murray is the favorite to win. :wink::twisted:

 

[Vermillion]

My boy, Simon should be at the top

 

[DoubleDeuce]

I've never seen you say this before, nope, never. :roll:

Will he succed? Video

if he does, you can have him.

 

[NamRanger]

It should not be a surprise that Murray is the favorite to win. :wink::twisted:

Uh, yes it should. Safin won back to back Paris and Madrid titles and was playing well before the AO5, yet he wasn't the favorite to win at all. Federer still was.


The real favorites should be obvious; Djokovic and Federer, as they have proven that they can win on HCs consistently.

 

[LanceStern]

You mean they've proven they can win HC Grand Slams?

Because Murray has certainly proven he can win on hard courts consistently.

 

[Feña14]

Course it's no surprise, the people are putting money on Murray to win and the odds reflect that.

What kind of Bookmaker would risk losing big money by keeping his odds out there? If they did and Murray went on to win, they would take a huge hit.

 

[TennisandMusic]

I hate how that is. It's not cool.

That's because it's wrong. Despite people saying it, it's just not correct, even though just about everybody does it. They are correctly called "majors." Tennis has "lost the language" a bit in recent years and a LOT of people call them the "slams." This is probably a little less stupid than calling them "the grand slams" but it is what it is. "Grand Slam" was slang anyway.

It's sort of similar to when people say "I could care less." It's stupidly wrong, yet everyone does it, and everyone knows what it means regardless.

 

[miyagi]

I am a little suprised to see Andy is the favourite to win....personally I think it's going to hinder him....This will be published in UK press and EVERY reporter and his dog will be asking him about it plus he will get added coverage on the news etc.

But if he is destined to win all that wont matter but still I think its abit of a reach.

I liked Fed's response in that I thought he was honest and a little miffed about it but I guess he just believes he will be the evntual winner!

 

[batz]

Yes. I can't see how this can help him either. If anything it will put more pressure on him plus he might have peaked too soon. I also think his chances has alot to do with the draw he gets.
Djokovic never produced such a hype even though he has achieved much more as you mentioned.

You forgot:

Murray is a lazy
He's never beaten Roger over five sets etc. You keep reaching for that comfort blanket.

I love the 'peaked too soon' one; that's a doozy - he's peaked a week too soon. His chances have a lot to do with his draw? You don't say - just Murray? He the only guy whose chances have a lot to do with his draw?

Novak didn't have the 6 months in 07 that Murray had in 08, hence the hype not being the same back then.

 

[batz]

I am a little suprised to see Andy is the favourite to win....personally I think it's going to hinder him....This will be published in UK press and EVERY reporter and his dog will be asking him about it plus he will get added coverage on the news etc.

But if he is destined to win all that wont matter but still I think its abit of a reach.

I liked Fed's response in that I thought he was honest and a little miffed about it but I guess he just believes he will be the evntual winner!

I'm surprised he's favourite too, it's hard to see how Roger isn't favourite.

I don't think the favourite tag will worry Murray too much - he gave an interview on BBC on Sunday morning where he played it down. There isn't a lot he can do about what other people are saying about him.

 

[GOD_BLESS_RAFA]

Federer is feeding the fighting spirit inside of him ...I don't know why... I think he will win this AO 2009

 

[J-man]

He seems to be getting a bit short with people. But I mean he is so used to winning and now he is losing more than often, you can understand why.

 

[zagor]

I think Fed does make some good points here but still if we look at current form than Murray probably should be the favourite.Doesn't mean that he's gonna win the whole thing but he's the most impressive player in the last few months and showed the best form at the beginning of the season.

You forgot:

Murray is a lazy
He's never beaten Roger over five sets etc. You keep reaching for that comfort blanket.

I love the 'peaked too soon' one; that's a doozy - he's peaked a week too soon. His chances have a lot to do with his draw? You don't say - just Murray? He the only guy whose chances have a lot to do with his draw?

Novak didn't have the 6 months in 07 that Murray had in 08, hence the hype not being the same back then.

Murray's also a miserable git as Henman puts it .

 

[veroniquem]

You forgot:

Murray is a lazy
He's never beaten Roger over five sets etc. You keep reaching for that comfort blanket.

I love the 'peaked too soon' one; that's a doozy - he's peaked a week too soon. His chances have a lot to do with his draw? You don't say - just Murray? He the only guy whose chances have a lot to do with his draw?

Novak didn't have the 6 months in 07 that Murray had in 08, hence the hype not being the same back then.

Actually Novak's case was just the opposite, after that USO final he totally withered away and came back on top at AO out of nowhere! Murray has been going quite strong since the USO season. Also I don't think Murray has peaked yet :twisted:. The one thing that could hinder Murray's chances is if the court is playing slow or something like that. Murray is definitely better on very fast surfaces.

 

[luckyboy1300]

i like this. federer deep inside loves the underdog status.it releases pressure on him and instead fires him and gives motivation for him to go on and win the whole thing. the us open last year is a proof.

 

[veroniquem]

I am a little suprised to see Andy is the favourite to win....personally I think it's going to hinder him....This will be published in UK press and EVERY reporter and his dog will be asking him about it plus he will get added coverage on the news etc.

But if he is destined to win all that wont matter but still I think its abit of a reach.

I liked Fed's response in that I thought he was honest and a little miffed about it but I guess he just believes he will be the evntual winner!

Fed always sounds miffed, everyone knows he's a (pretentious) sour puss. He was even more miffed at Wimbledon last year, making a fuss about how some pros could possibly DARE to not have him as the favorite. Well, it turned out that those pros were right on the mark. Specialists don't make predictions so much in the light of past results ("What? But I won a slam 5 months ago! How can they possibly go against me") as in the context of current form and dynamics between players. Chosing Murray as the favorite seems very reasonable to me at the moment, doesn't mean he will win of course but it is what makes sense when considering the last few months on the tour.

 

[batz]

I think Fed does make some good points here but still if we look at current form than Murray probably should be the favourite.Doesn't mean that he's gonna win the whole thing but he's the most impressive player in the last few months and showed the best form at the beginning of the season.



Murray's also a miserable git as Henman puts it .

Zagor - don't disagree with anything you've said, but i just find it hard to get my head round the idea that the guy who won 10 of the last 12 HC slams (including the last one) isn't favourite!

I do believe that Murray has now gone way past a 'hot streak' this is his level now - and he needs to bring it to the slams, starting next week.

He's not that miserable - he's just Scottish

 

[vtmike]

Is there anyway Fed could say that without someone blowing it out of proportions? Cause I think some people will take it like that.

I agree with his surprise, but I can also see why people see Murray as the favorite. He's been kciking butt lately.

Yeah I know! anything Fed says is immediately criticized by some rabid nadal fans here ......I mean he is right if you think abt it. Winning a grand slam is a whole different animal and he will probably have to elevate his level further if he needs to win it...I know tht Murray is in good form, but I dnt think he is the favourite either...people just like to jump on the bandwagon, and so do the commentators...I saw another thread in which there was talk abt Murray being the next GOAT....sheesh! :shock: ...but anyways only time will tell

 

[zagor]

Zagor - don't disagree with anything you've said, but i just find it hard to get my head round the idea that the guy who won 10 of the last 12 HC slams (including the last one) isn't favourite!

I do believe that Murray has now gone way past a 'hot streak' this is his level now - and he needs to bring it to the slams, starting next week.

AO this year is pretty open,each of the top 4 have good chances for the title.It all just depends on a point of view.You could make a case for either of the top 4:

1)Nadal-the best player in the world at the moment,had incredible season in 2008 and has that aura when he steps on court that Fed once had.Seems on the verge of making it one or two steps further in a HC slam.

2)Federer-won 10 of the last 12 HC slams and also won the last HC slam.

3)Djokovic-a defending champion and also won the last big tourney on HC-Masters Cup.

4)Murray-a player who is clearly in the best form on HC at the moment,had a great start of the year,winning Doha and Abu-Dhabi, scoring wins against Fed and Nadal.

Personally I think that the main favourites are Fed and Murray with giving Murray the slight edge.But I certainly won't be surprised if Nadal or Djokovic end up with a title either since as I said AO's very open this year IMO.

He's not that miserable - he's just Scottish

Lol,if he wins AO I expect him to scream FREEEDOOOM!

 

[vtmike]

:wink:

Fed always sounds miffed, everyone knows he's a (pretentious) sour puss. He was even more miffed at Wimbledon last year, making a fuss about how some pros could possibly DARE to not have him as the favorite. Well, it turned out that those pros were right on the mark. Specialists don't make predictions so much in the light of past results ("What? But I won a slam 5 months ago! How can they possibly go against me") as in the context of current form and dynamics between players. Chosing Murray as the favorite seems very reasonable to me at the moment, doesn't mean he will win of course but it is what makes sense when considering the last few months on the tour.

You are like a cheap news reporter who tries to spice up things by putting words in their mouth! Give me a quote where Fed has said "how dare someone choses Nadal before me" during wimbledon.....I am sure he never said anything like that.....the fact is tht he is always honest in his interviews and for those who don't like him, "TheTruth" hurts! ;-)

 

[veroniquem]

Yeah I know! anything Fed says is immediately criticized by some rabid nadal fans here ......I mean he is right if you think abt it. Winning a grand slam is a whole different animal and he will probably have to elevate his level further if he needs to win it...I know tht Murray is in good form, but I dnt think he is the favourite either...people just like to jump on the bandwagon, and so do the commentators...I saw another thread in which there was talk abt Murray being the next GOAT....sheesh! :shock: ...but anyways only time will tell

It's not that anybody is wrong or right, it's Fed's complete lack of humility that draws attention. He could just accept that he's not the main favorite (like I'm pretty sure Djoko does even though he's the title holder), instead of that he goes "how come they didn't pick me instead?" I don't know any other current top player that would react in such a self-absorbed way. In the grand scheme of things, you're right it doesn't matter much but it always pushes my buttons, lol.

 

[veroniquem]

:wink:

You are like a cheap news reporter who tries to spice up things by putting words in their mouth! Give me a quote where Fed has said "how dare someone choses Nadal before me" during wimbledon.....I am sure he never said anything like that.....the fact is tht he is always honest in his interviews and for those who don't like him, "TheTruth" hurts! ;-)

He didn't say it in those exact words of course but that's what his reaction amounted to when he commented on Borg picking Nadal. After the FO final and Nadal winning Queen's he shouldn't have been thrown that a lot of analysts picked Nadal. Sure he would want to prove them wrong on court but there was no need for the several snide comments he made in his interviews.

 

[batz]

I guess the bottom line is that those whose job it is to come up with the odds make Murray favourite. Can anyone remember the last time someone who hadn't won a slam was favourite? Has it ever happened?

Namranger

"Uh, yes it should. Safin won back to back Paris and Madrid titles and was playing well before the AO5, yet he wasn't the favorite to win at all. Federer still was".

Did Safin win more ranking points than anyone else between the end of RG and season end in 04? Were his 5 masters series results in the second half of 04: semis, win, win, quarters, semis with a slam final sandwiched in between? Did he beat Roger three times on the bounce with the last one coming in the first ATP event of 05? Did Safin win his last 6 straight matches against the top 3 in the second half of 04/start of 05?

If the answer to those questions is 'no', then I think we can stop wondering why Safin wasn't favourite in 05.

 

[zagor]

I guess the bottom line is that those whose job it is to come up with the odds make Murray favourite. Can anyone remember the last time someone who hadn't won a slam was favourite? Has it ever happened?

Don't know the last time it happened but off the top of my head I'd say that Muster was the favourite going into the FO 1995 even though he never won a slam before that.He won Monte Carlo,Rome,Estoril and Barcelona during that clay season going into the FO so I'm pretty sure he was the odds on favourite for the FO title that year.

 

[batz]

Don't know the last time it happened but off the top of my head I'd say that Muster was the favourite going into the FO 1995 even though he never won a slam before that.He won Monte Carlo,Rome,Estoril and Barcelona during that clay season going into the FO so I'm pretty sure he was the odds on favourite for the FO title that year.

That's some top remembering Zagor - nice one! Muster won in 95. Maybe a portent for Murray :twisted:?

 

[Thor]

10 of last 12 HC slams?He doesnt even have 10 HC slams in total.

2003 - no HC slam,2004 - 2,2005 - 1,2006 - 2,2007 - 2,2008 - 1.

8 of 12,still amazing stats,but 2006&2007 is long gone and do not affect 2009.
The most important fact: 1 of 4 slams in 2008.


This is gonna be one heck of a tournament

 

[crazylevity]

Hehheh...bookie jinx for Murray.

 

[MarrratSafin]

Fed has a point, as Murray hasn't won a slam yet. The favourite maybe should be a player who's proven himself at slams(Fed/Nole/Rafa) He lost to Murray in 5 out of 7 matches but in the most important one, the USO final he trashed Murray. But Murray's among the favourites for sure. On current form I'd say he's the best player at the moment. We'll see at the AO.

 

[pepe01]

Murray, is on his way already, and is a real treat to FEDERER and NADAL, I think win a grand slams depends on player momentum, in other terms how is playing at the moment of start tournament and Andy is on track, but Roger and Rafa are very close, so this is going to be a dog fight.

 

[batz]

10 of last 12 HC slams?He doesnt even have 10 HC slams in total.

2003 - no HC slam,2004 - 2,2005 - 1,2006 - 2,2007 - 2,2008 - 1.

8 of 12,still amazing stats,but 2006&2007 is long gone and do not affect 2009.
The most important fact: 1 of 4 slams in 2008.


This is gonna be one heck of a tournament

Thor - you're right, it's 8 out of 12; my bad.