Both Djokovic and Murray should skip the rest of 2017

[JMR]

Granted, we don't know the details of their medical conditions, but any chronic injury to a limb is potentially career-ending in tennis. A long-term sore arm or elbow that forces a player to quit in the most important tournament of the year is pretty obviously a time bomb. The same is true of an apparent hip problem that reduces a defending champion's mobility to the point that he is double-breadsticked by a man ranked 25 places below him.

Players who have passed age 30 shouldn't bother with the typical "take six weeks off; maybe skip one tournament; claim it feels better; come back too soon; then have a repeat flare-up after two months" half-hearted approach to healing. What these wounded warriors need is a genuine, and long, off-season. It's not the Federer strategy or the Nadal strategy; it's the smart strategy.

In addition, Djokovic is obviously suffering from psychological burnout, and with another child on the way, he clearly is in dire need of down time. Murray, too, seems exhausted in every possible way from his late-2016 heroics. When you are broken in body and mauled mentally, why would you not seek an extended rest?

 

[Feather]

How do we make these kind of assertive statements without knowing their extend of injury? What if their conditions don't need that much healing time?

 

[JMR]

How do we make these kind of assertive statements without knowing their extend of injury?

We make them exactly as I have done above. You are free to argue that that two of them should just keep playing on. Neither of us is either player's treating physician, coach, or therapist.

And mental burnout requires a break and reboot all by itself, even in a totally physically sound athlete.

 

[Feather]

We make them exactly as I have done above. You are free to argue that that two of them should just keep playing on. Neither of us is either player's treating physician, coach, or therapist.

And mental burnout requires a break and reboot all by itself, even in a totally physically sound athlete.

I didn't say that either

 

[JMR]

I didn't say that either

I've already addressed in my OP the only remaining alternative: the timid, miminum-possible-disruption approach. Bad idea. It's sabbatical time!

 

[Jackuar]

I agree with OP, even though the tour will miss them. They should take a break and we'll await a blockbuster 2018. Imagine all 4 hitting their form? We're in for a war!!

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Murray takes six months off and he's finished.

 

[adil1972]

all top 10 should skip the rest of 2017

what a tennis joke it will be

 

[bwongman]

There are people that can take 6 months off and there are people that can't. Fed and Nadal shows that it can work, but Murray seems to be in the group that cannot. Every time he comes back from an injury it takes him a long time to get back to where he was before.

 

[reaper]

Both players to me look like perfect candidates to benefit from a break. They've both achieved career ambitions (Djokovic winning the FO/career slam) and Murray reaching number 1 then floundered. Neither looks likely to be in full health at the USO or a genuine candidate to win it. The best for both would be get away from the game for a few months, reassess what they want from their careers (if anything) then come back full bore at the AO in January.

 

[xFullCourtTenniSx]

Murray would drop to #17 and Djokovic would drop out of the top 10.

I mean, I guess Federer won the AO while he was ranked #17, so it couldn't hurt Murray's chances.

 

[Jonas78]

If Djokovic returns for AO18 i think we might see a comeback like Federer at AO17. Maybe thats what he needs...

 

[Deleted member 716271]

If Djokovic returns for AO18 i think we might see a comeback like Federer at AO17. Maybe thats what he needs...

well If Nadal loses another heartbreaking 5th set (this time to Novak like in 2012) Ill be ok with that

 

[Newcomer]

I don't think it will happen. Looks like people are a bit overreacting about their injuries.

 

[JMR]

I don't think it will happen. Looks like people are a bit overreacting about their injuries.

Again, it's not just physical injuries, although those seem pretty threatening -- it's burnout too, especially for Djokovic.

 

[JMR]

Neither looks likely to be in full health at the USO or a genuine candidate to win it. The best for both would be get away from the game for a few months, reassess what they want from their careers (if anything) then come back full bore at the AO in January.

Exactly. They need time to heal and time to refocus without the constant stress of, "I have to defend all these points! I have to qualify for the WTF!"

 

[MajesticMoose]

They're going to end up like Injurkori. Injury prone all the time. Brittle bodies.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Murray would drop to #17 and Djokovic would drop out of the top 10.

I mean, I guess Federer won the AO while he was ranked #17, so it couldn't hurt Murray's chances.

Are you serious? Heard another guy tell me that too and let me tell you, if both guys take 6 months off they will suffer.

Djokovic could make a comeback, but Murray would be done. No way he beats the Big 3 in the early stages of slams so his ranking would suffer even more.

He also is defending Dubai. Not going to look pretty when those points come off.

 

[JMR]

He also is defending Dubai. Not going to look pretty when those points come off.

It doesn't look pretty now. Or would you say that a double-breadsticking by Querrey at Wimbledon is Murray's desired level?

A top player can come back up through the rankings pretty rapidly if he does very well at the slams and Masters events. And if he does NOT do well at the slams and Masters, then what's the point? To grab as many Dubai titles as he can in his 30s?

 

[Deleted member 307496]

It doesn't look pretty now. Or would you say that a double-breadsticking by Querrey at Wimbledon is Murray's desired level?

A top player can come back up through the rankings pretty rapidly if he does very well at the slams and Masters events. And if he does NOT do well at the slams and Masters, then what's the point? To grab as many Dubai titles as he can in his 30s?

If Murray comes back rusty in 2018 he will have a season much worse than he did in 2014.

Given he's in terrible form right now, without matchplay he's going to come back worse with a much lower ranking than he's accustomed to. That means meetings with in-form top players as early as the third round in majors.

The only way he will go is down. He is better off taking from now until Cincinnati off in my opinion as that would allow him to get enough points to still have outside chances at big tournaments.

 

[Meles]

Granted, we don't know the details of their medical conditions, but any chronic injury to a limb is potentially career-ending in tennis. A long-term sore arm or elbow that forces a player to quit in the most important tournament of the year is pretty obviously a time bomb. The same is true of an apparent hip problem that reduces a defending champion's mobility to the point that he is double-breadsticked by a man ranked 25 places below him.

Players who have passed age 30 shouldn't bother with the typical "take six weeks off; maybe skip one tournament; claim it feels better; come back too soon; then have a repeat flare-up after two months" half-hearted approach to healing. What these wounded warriors need is a genuine, and long, off-season. It's not the Federer strategy or the Nadal strategy; it's the smart strategy.

In addition, Djokovic is obviously suffering from psychological burnout, and with another child on the way, he clearly is in dire need of down time. Murray, too, seems exhausted in every possible way from his late-2016 heroics. When you are broken in body and mauled mentally, why would you not seek an extended rest?

Plus they are 7 and 8 in the race this year and it could easily happen that neither makes WTF especially if they go with half measures.

 

[reaper]

Exactly. They need time to heal and time to refocus without the constant stress of, "I have to defend all these points! I have to qualify for the WTF!"

The most simple stress is that whenever they're playing matches they're trying to win them. They've both probably been full time players since they were 15. A few months off to reenergise.

 

[JMR]

If Murray comes back rusty in 2018 he will have a season much worse than he did in 2014.

2014 Murray had better cumulative results than 2017 Murray at the slams and Masters through July.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

2014 Murray had better cumulative results than 2017 Murray at the slams and Masters through July.

But not better than 2013. Far worse, in fact. That's my point.

 

[JMR]

But not better than 2013. Far worse, in fact.

Yes, and the point is that since 2017 Murray is already below the level of "rusty" 2014 Murray, and far from excellent 2013 Murray, what has he got to lose by taking an extended break to repair himself physically and mentally? The dire consequences of which you warn -- a weak, unproductive season like 2014 -- are already here!

 

[reaper]

Murray had a quiet couple of weeks leading into Wimbledon because of his hip injury. By the end of Wimbledon his hip was much worse than it had been at Queens. That indicates a good month off is needed, assuming there's nothing requiring surgery. He could rush back for the USO and probably aggravate it, or try and play some pointless late season events. Or give his body a proper rest, let his ranking drop and come back recharged for next year.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Yes, and the point is that since 2017 Murray is already below the level of "rusty" 2014 Murray, and far from excellent 2013 Murray, what has he got to lose by taking an extended break to repair himself physically and mentally? The dire consequences of which you warn -- a weak, unproductive season like 2014 -- are already here!

Because this is not the worst it could become.

2017 would be more successful than this hypothetical 2018. Matchplay is vital for a player like Murray.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Murray had a quiet couple of weeks leading into Wimbledon because of his hip injury. By the end of Wimbledon his hip was much worse than it had been at Queens. That indicates a good month off is needed, assuming there's nothing requiring surgery. He could rush back for the USO and probably aggravate it, or try and play some pointless late season events. Or give his body a proper rest, let his ranking drop and come back recharged for next year.

And concequently return out of form. 6 months is far too long a break.

 

[JMR]

So, Djokovic has made the smart decision -- a not unexpected one, obviously. Although I wouldn't call myself a Djoker fan, he's a great champion and tennis needs him. Assuming he gets healthy and addresses his personal/family issues as well, I don't expect him to have lot of difficulty playing himself back into Top 5 form. That doesn't mean he'll dominate as he did before, but he should quickly become a strong contender again in slams and Masters events.

Now we'll see what Murray does. He may adopt a more "let's take it week by week" strategy.

 

[tennisenthusiast]

and skip, they will.

 

[nikdom]

Murray should take the rest of this century off. No amount of retooling is going to fix that game.

 

[Phoenix1983]

The foolish Sir Murray shall play on, methinks.

 

[JMR]

The foolish Sir Murray shall play on, methinks.

You'd think Djokovic's decision might inspire Andy to give himself a needed break as well.

On the other hand, this could be a Kohno-Ono situation -- two Japanese table tennis players (world champions in 1977 and 1979, respectively). Supposedly, Kohno once remarked that he could never rest if he knew Ono was practicing, because he had to keep pace with him. But Kohno also said that he could never rest if he knew Ono was not practicing, because then he could surpass him.

Perhaps Murray will see Djokovic's absence as some kind of opening for him.

 

[-NN-]

One down, one to go.

 

[JMR]

One down, one to go.

Down is the new up.

 

[JRAJ1988]

Murray should take the rest of the season off for his own health but no he's a stubborn rich idiot "Don't worry kim I have enough money for hip replacements at the age of 40".

I hate seeing players injured, when Almagro had the injury and broke down in tears you knew Tennis is this guys life.

 

[JMR]

Murray should take the rest of the season off for his own health but no he's a stubborn rich idiot "Don't worry kim I have enough money for hip replacements at the age of 40".

This article has Todd Woodbridge (of all people) agreeing with me that Murray should take the rest of the year off: http://www.**************.org/news/...ridge-says-andy-murray-is-physicallyinjured-/

However, as far as I know, Murray hasn't even officially withdrawn from the Rogers Cup yet.

 

[Mainad]

Murray should take the rest of this century off. No amount of retooling is going to fix that game.

 

[Mainad]

This article has Todd Woodbridge (of all people) agreeing with me that Murray should take the rest of the year off: http://www.**************.org/news/...ridge-says-andy-murray-is-physicallyinjured-/

However, as far as I know, Murray hasn't even officially withdrawn from the Rogers Cup yet.

I'm watching this space. Be interesting to know what effect Novak's announcement will have on him and whether it's making him consider following suit. I'm sure he is also taking the best possible medical advice about his problems.

 

[Desertman]

We're all world reknowned medical experts when it comes to someone's health and injuries we know little or nothing about!

 

[Zetty]

If I remember correctly Murray took a buttload of time off for surgery and recovery before and it took him at least a year to get his form back when he returned. Some people will say he's never been the same since. Extended time off doesn't seem to work for everyone

 

[JMR]

If I remember correctly Murray took a buttload of time off for surgery and recovery before and it took him at least a year to get his form back when he returned. Some people will say he's never been the same since.

When was Murray ever better in a sustained run than Wimbledon through the WTF of 2016?

 

[Zetty]

When was Murray ever better in a sustained run than Wimbledon through the WTF of 2016?

I think his form from Wimbledon 2012 to Wimbledon 2013 was pretty incredible. Beat both Fed and Djok in that time, won the OG, before the back injury set in. His competition in 2016 just wasn't the same, which allowed him to take advantage. Djokovic form taking a dip and Fed being out.

 

[Feduruza]

I think that's exactly what's happening actually. Murray's mom said he's doubtful for USO

 

[JMR]

I think that's exactly what's happening actually. Murray's mom said he's doubtful for USO

If the U.S. Open is in doubt for Murray, then you'd think the Rogers Cup, and perhaps Cincy, are definitely off his list. If so, he should announce that sooner rather than later. The Montreal website currently has a big photo of Murray headlining its "Top players in the world heading to Canada for 2017 Rogers Cup presented by National Bank" page. http://www.couperogers.com/en/top-7...nada-2017-rogers-cup-presented-national-bank/

As I said in a recent thread about Federer, it's the fans who get shafted when tournament withdrawals by big stars occur very late. Make up your mind and then announce your decision!

 

[Feduruza]

If the U.S. Open is in doubt for Murray, then you'd think the Rogers Cup, and perhaps Cincy, are definitely off his list. If so, he should announce that sooner rather than later. The Montreal website currently has a big photo of Murray headlining its "Top players in the world heading to Canada for 2017 Rogers Cup presented by National Bank" page. http://www.couperogers.com/en/top-7...nada-2017-rogers-cup-presented-national-bank/

As I said in a recent thread about Federer, it's the fans who get shafted when tournament withdrawals by big stars occur very late. Make up your mind and then announce your decision!

Look at the date - June 28th. Things were VERY different back then, no one knew about Murray and Djokovic's injuries and Federer hasn't yet won Wimbledon yet

 

[JMR]

If the U.S. Open is in doubt for Murray, then you'd think the Rogers Cup, and perhaps Cincy, are definitely off his list. If so, he should announce that sooner rather than later.

Strike one!

 

[swordtennis]

Judy is the soccer Mom of of tennis. I dig her she's the mom. Just got off the phone Shes picking up Andy nole Jamie jordie and the gang after tennis practice they are going for ice cream after.

 

[BeatlesFan]

I think that's exactly what's happening actually. Murray's mom said he's doubtful for USO

When did Judy say this? All I have is that she said Muzz was considering his options for the USO:
https://stv.tv/sport/more/1394055-judy-murray-andy-did-well-to-make-wimbledon-semis/

 

[JMR]

Strike one!

Murray now out of Cincy as well: Strike two!

It's not impossible to believe that Murray could be ready for the U.S. Open even after skipping the entire hard court tuneup circuit, but as I argued in the OP, coming back just in time for the USO probably would be forcing the issue. At age 30, the goal should be complete, not "almost there," restoration of fitness. Murray likely understands that Djokovic and Wawrinka are doing the smart thing. Andy just has to resist the temptation to view this as an opportunity to sweep up some points in the fall season with some other big names MIA.