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https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/es...mong-five-greatest-tennis-183506268--ten.html
From nearly man to the man, Andy Murray is close to scaling the summit of his sport, an achievement as special as becoming the first British man to win Wimbledon since 1936, writes Desmond Kane. Why do people who make out they're "educated" in the realms of sports make the most ignorant statements? Murray isn't even in the top ten of "all time", just nonsense. If Federer, Sampras and Nadal where sitting on thrones Murray would be the one who serves them drinks.
Andy Murray is on the verge of being Britain's first world number one.
Winning does not naturally breed popularity.
Yet sport's greatest winners have never been overly fascinated by public opinion. Not when universal approval comes from within.
It would hardly be fraternising with hyperbole to suggest Andy Murray is not the most popular tennis player in Paris this week.
That much was true during his run to the French Open final in June. That much is true during his return to the French capital for this week’s Paris Masters.
Perhaps as great if not greater than becoming the first British man since Fred Perry in 1936 to win Wimbledon three years ago. Unlike carting off a Grand Slam, attaining the world number spot rewards a consistency of performance over an extended period of time rather than just a fortnight.
No longer could the critics hit you with the line: “How can Britain’s greatest sportsman never have been number one in his sport?”
Murray has won seven titles this year, including a second Wimbledon, played in the Davis Cup semi-finals and won 53 out of his past 57 matches. It is astonishing return from the nearly man, who is about to become the man.
.
Murray’s three Grand Slams between 2013-2016 are worth more than many men who carried off several more Grand Slams decades ago.
Due to sports science and the progression of athleticism in sport, it is no longer merely acceptable to be good at tennis. These days you must discover a fitness level greater than Iron Man tri-athletes taking on Kailua-Kona in Hawaii, and a mental staying power worthy of Garry Kasparov.
Replays of Rod Laver, Ken Roswall or even Murray's coach Ivan Lendl look like they are playing a different sport decades ago. Because they are.
When you analyse where you would place Murray in the list of the sport’s all-time greats, it is difficult to escape from the conclusion that he is already inside the top five of all time.
Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Pete Sampras and Murray would be a top five that would prompt debate, but an entirely reasonable proposition.
It is a belief that would only be strengthened if Murray uproots 12-time Grand Slam winner Djokvoic, who many already view as the greatest, at the summit of tennis.
Murray might never win a popularity contest. There is no trophy for that. Neither is there a trophy for becoming his game's number one.
Yet for Murray the significance of such a moment should not be undersold.
Desmond Kane
From nearly man to the man, Andy Murray is close to scaling the summit of his sport, an achievement as special as becoming the first British man to win Wimbledon since 1936, writes Desmond Kane. Why do people who make out they're "educated" in the realms of sports make the most ignorant statements? Murray isn't even in the top ten of "all time", just nonsense. If Federer, Sampras and Nadal where sitting on thrones Murray would be the one who serves them drinks.
Andy Murray is on the verge of being Britain's first world number one.
Winning does not naturally breed popularity.
Yet sport's greatest winners have never been overly fascinated by public opinion. Not when universal approval comes from within.
It would hardly be fraternising with hyperbole to suggest Andy Murray is not the most popular tennis player in Paris this week.
That much was true during his run to the French Open final in June. That much is true during his return to the French capital for this week’s Paris Masters.
Perhaps as great if not greater than becoming the first British man since Fred Perry in 1936 to win Wimbledon three years ago. Unlike carting off a Grand Slam, attaining the world number spot rewards a consistency of performance over an extended period of time rather than just a fortnight.
No longer could the critics hit you with the line: “How can Britain’s greatest sportsman never have been number one in his sport?”
Murray has won seven titles this year, including a second Wimbledon, played in the Davis Cup semi-finals and won 53 out of his past 57 matches. It is astonishing return from the nearly man, who is about to become the man.
.
Murray’s three Grand Slams between 2013-2016 are worth more than many men who carried off several more Grand Slams decades ago.
Due to sports science and the progression of athleticism in sport, it is no longer merely acceptable to be good at tennis. These days you must discover a fitness level greater than Iron Man tri-athletes taking on Kailua-Kona in Hawaii, and a mental staying power worthy of Garry Kasparov.
Replays of Rod Laver, Ken Roswall or even Murray's coach Ivan Lendl look like they are playing a different sport decades ago. Because they are.
When you analyse where you would place Murray in the list of the sport’s all-time greats, it is difficult to escape from the conclusion that he is already inside the top five of all time.
Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Pete Sampras and Murray would be a top five that would prompt debate, but an entirely reasonable proposition.
It is a belief that would only be strengthened if Murray uproots 12-time Grand Slam winner Djokvoic, who many already view as the greatest, at the summit of tennis.
Murray might never win a popularity contest. There is no trophy for that. Neither is there a trophy for becoming his game's number one.
Yet for Murray the significance of such a moment should not be undersold.
Desmond Kane
