Homeboy Hotel at it again

[HipRotation]

Once again our intrepid hero of these forums has struck Twitter gold not only getting a response from Andy Murray, but a whole conversation. Reasons for why he hasn't posted or gloated on here yet are puzzling to say the least.

Copypasted of the back and forward twitter messges for ease of reading pleasure:

HH: hope you’re watching the big boys play, some lessons to learn with holding serve #40love #1minuteholds #alloverthenet #focused

Andy: hey bud u OK?
Andy: let's chat... You have some pretty strong opinions so let me try answer a few of your questions/complaints etc

HH: sounds good. But I don't want the headache of your most loyal giving me abuse. So I may have to just decline
HH: And I'm sure you'll know, having had experience first hand, strong opinions aren't necessarily bad/invalid...no?

Andy: there is nothing wrong with strong opinions at all... But it's strange to have such strong opinions without knowing little
Andy: about the subject you are discussing

HH: True - as a spectator I'll watch the top 2 and think 'damn why doesn't Andy do that?'. But I have 0 slams so what would I know?

Andy: it's nothing to do with that... You have a problem with amelie and blame alot on her but you have no idea about the work we do
Andy: you say she says "yes" to everything also but you haven't been involved in any conversation with me and team

HH: All I see is Lendl had his way and it met outcomes. That's just the benchmark I am comparing it to
Andy: what was lendls way?
HH: from what I judged in what you said about him in interviews it was his way or nothing. Did I misunderstand?
HH: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/te...over-me.-She-listens-to-everything-I-say.html
HH: look Andy, I have strong opinions and apologise. This convo will get unnecessary heat at me so I will step away and deactivate

Andy: with certain things yes that would be the case..but Ivan always said you have to be the one making the decision
Andy: in tennis the responsibility of the performance lies with the athlete as coach can't help when you are out there playing

HH: I have 0 slams and 0 inside knowledge. Everything I say is a judgment from watching you for the last 6 yrs, interviews +results

Andy: yea but you say watch roger and Novak serve for example...I watch those guys all the time by the way... But what do you mean?
Andy: in my match against Novak I served badly..the worst of the tournament in terms of percentages by far...but the rest of
Andy: the event was much better than the last month

HH: Novak has pretty decent serve but last few months he's just taken it up a level - the technicalities how he has I don't know..

Andy: yesterday he served double fault on break point second set, then 3 in the tie break and then another one to get broken in 3rd
Andy: Novak is serving very well just now and he is extremely confident... That's what winning does to your whole game

HH: totally agree. Watched every match. But would Lendl take that loss and make you hit the practice courts hitting 500 serves?
HH: ...is it finding the perfect rhythm? Tweaking the ball toss? Believing in yourself that you can go for more on your 2nd?

Andy: it's a combination of a of those things.. And the only way it can get better is by practicing it... Which I do for hours
Andy: every week, and I'm sure the guys ahead of me do the same
Andy: I did tweak my ball toss significantly in the off season and if you watch videos it's very clear in Australia
Andy: no not really, I would sometimes go to practice immediately after matches if there was something I wasn't happy
Andy: but I also did that 2 times last week after matches.. Just because you don't see it doesn't mean I'm not doing it
Andy: at Australian open I was playing my best tennis in a long time... And the last 30 minutes of the tournament were ugly for me

HH: So you have the belief, you put the hours, technique is solid. Where do you think you need to step it up?

Andy: I need to consistently find how to play at that level and getting a coach to help me through the whole year will be big plus
Andy: in all of February I had no coach around me to work on things I feel my game regressed slightly in that month

HH: so is it a focus issue? Saw ur Rotterdam notes - be good to urself.This is hard to practice so maybe it case of getting wins in
Andy: being good to myself was there because on the court I'm not good to myself..too hard on myself, something in trying to improvr
HH: My view - when you have a solid goal, you're focused and pumped. First slam,wimbledon, Olympics...find your next feasible goal.

Andy: my goal is try and win grand slams, that's what motivates me..and I agree being pumped up makes me play better
Andy: I also had a goal of winning in Australia... But things don't always work out how you want

HH: I remember 2010/11 AO loses you struggled up till Summer. This year you picked yourself up straight away with Davis Cup...nice
HH: ..obviously it was unfortunate to see u lose early in Rotterdam/Dubai but like you said - you didn't have someone with you.fair
HH: Winning slams is a great goal, I want to have a red Ferrari - that's mine. But break your goal down, what's steps do u need
HH: ..mini steps do you need to take to get there? Break it down. E.G you want to win FO

Andy: not having a coach around for 5 weeks makes it hard to work on things for me... Not everyone is the same though

HH: So maybe aim for a title in Munich, good wins in 1000s, defend SF RG 2014 points. Aim to get confid in serve back before grass
HH: But who am I to talk? I have 0 slams. Maybe I just repeated everything Amelie is working on with you..but that's my view.

Andy: I am number 2 in the race right now and just had my best run at Indian wells since 2009...its not all bad news
Andy: I agree that setting shorter term goals is good and a problem I have had in past was focusing solely on slams

HH: totally agree.

 

[The_Flying_Vulture]

He really did strike gold. Really apreciate Andy having an open discussion on twitter like that. Really gives a good idea how he thinks about his game.

 

[FEDERERNADAL13]

I immediately went to twitter to check to see, I thought "this couldn't be real"... Great work HH!!!

 

[Big_Dangerous]

He really did strike gold. Really apreciate Andy having an open discussion on twitter like that. Really gives a good idea how he thinks about his game.

That he feels the need to defend his game against an obvious troll, that's a clear indication that his mind isn't quite right. Andy needs to just play and stop worrying about what other people are saying.

 

[The_Flying_Vulture]

That he feels the need to defend his game against an obvious troll, that's a clear indication that his mind isn't quite right. Andy needs to just play and stop worrying about what other people are saying.

Yes I also thought that might be the case. Still it is nice to get the inside view as a tennis fan.

 

[Big_Dangerous]

Yes I also thought that might be the case. Still it is nice to get the inside view as a tennis fan.

He just needs to stability in his camp really. I don't think anyone in the big 4 has had less stability over the last 5-6 years than Andy. Obviously Rafa has only had one coach his whole career, so his camp is the most stable. Feds been working with Luthi for so many years, even when he did make a change from Annacone to Edberg, he always had Severin in his corner. And Djokovic has been with Vajda for years, the only reason he brought Becker on was because Vajda wouldn't commit to a full season and every tournament with him.

 

[stringertom]

He just needs to stability in his camp really. I don't think anyone in the big 4 has had less stability over the last 5-6 years than Andy. Obviously Rafa has only had one coach his whole career, so his camp is the most stable. Feds been working with Luthi for so many years, even when he did make a change from Annacone to Edberg, he always had Severin in his corner. And Djokovic has been with Vajda for years, the only reason he brought Becker on was because Vajda wouldn't commit to a full season and every tournament with him.

Is this where Bjorkman could step in? I know it's on a trial basis right now but if it works Jonas would be great to have in the box and on the practice court full time.

 

[JRAJ1988]

Andy Murray is very good with fans of his and tennis fans, though I'm somewhat surprised at this.

Good work Homeboy, I appreciate your respectful demeanour in conversing with Andy.

Hip Rotation thanks for the post!

 

[okdude1992]

That he feels the need to defend his game against an obvious troll, that's a clear indication that his mind isn't quite right. Andy needs to just play and stop worrying about what other people are saying.

Yea, that was my first thought as well. If everything is going so well for Murray, why should he feel the need to defend himself and Amelie to a nobody on Twitter? Shouldn't he be practicing, in the gym, or spending time with his fiance?

 

[veroniquem]

Wow amazing back and forth. Andy is really open to his fans and he takes criticism well.

 

[Vegito]

Deleted post.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

A good read - it is nice to know that Murray listens to his fans/has the time of day to actually discuss his game respectfully with them.

It is also interesting to note that Murray finds trouble concentrating without a coach on board for an undetermined amount of time. Never knew this.. I just thought he was more inconsistent than previous years.

 

[Avles]

Murray is a class act.

 

[Vrad]

Yea, that was my first thought as well. If everything is going so well for Murray, why should he feel the need to defend himself and Amelie to a nobody on Twitter? Shouldn't he be practicing, in the gym, or spending time with his fiance?

I don't know. Because he is a human being?

Being a tennis player does not make you less of a human. He enjoys using Twitter and as a result will occasionally interact with folks on it. Not sure what is wrong with that.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Great stuff.

 

[merwy]

Oh My God, you have got to be kidding me!! This cannot be real man:lol: Bwahahah Andy Murray did not just have an open minded discussion with freaking Homeboy Hotel!! What's next? Nadal talking with Clarky? Djokovic with Chico? Federer with 90's clay? Oh lord, it was awesome to read and pretty cool of Murray to respond. But I can't help asking myself: "Why does he even bother? He must have something better to do with his spare time"

 

[Beacon Hill]

Murray is often unlikeable on court, but has always come across as a decent guy off the court.

 

[MichaelNadal]

:lol: wow at Andy saying that much to a troll.

 

[Russeljones]

This proves that Andy is in a very bad place in terms of self-belief. No way a successful super star of his sport would take the time to entertain a naysayer in that manner. Worrying.

 

[powerangle]

Wow, that is a GREAT read! A good hard look into the mind of a top player. I really like that Andy entertained this guy and had such an open discussion.

 

[Rebel-I.N.S]

This proves that Andy is in a very bad place in terms of self-belief. No way a successful super star of his sport would take the time to entertain a naysayer in that manner. Worrying.

Or a candid discussion to air out lingering doubts and questions that Murray is constantly plagued by.

Murray is his own man, I say good on him for breaking out of the rigid, avoid-controversy-at-all cost Comms strategy.

Would you rather read plastic tweets from the other top players? I doubt they even run their twitter accounts (already anticipating the "they have better things to do" response)

 

[Flint]

Or a candid discussion to air out lingering doubts and questions that Murray is constantly plagued by.

Murray is his own man, I say good on him for breaking out of the rigid, avoid-controversy-at-all cost Comms strategy.

Would you rather read plastic tweets from the other top players? I doubt they even run their twitter accounts (already anticipating the "they have better things to do" response)

I wonder if Berdych runs his own...

 

[JonC]

I'll have to move Andy up a few pegs on my like list. I think that back and forth shows a relaxed confidence not any kind of worry or anxiety about his playing. At least for me, if I'm struggling with something serious, I'm not talking to people who know less than me about it.

Murray's problem is that he never tries to get to the net. He'll hit a ball 5 ft inside the baseline and then back up.

Gotta get back to my boy Stakhovsky playing Almagro - should be good.

 

[thomasferrett]

No way am I believing that is the real Murray.

These guys pay agents to use their twitter accounts for them.

Think about it - with the amount of travelling, training and gym work these guys need to do, do you really think they have any spare time for social media?

 

[kOaMaster]

Oh My God, you have got to be kidding me!! This cannot be real man:lol: Bwahahah Andy Murray did not just have an open minded discussion with freaking Homeboy Hotel!! What's next? Nadal talking with Clarky? Djokovic with Chico? Federer with 90's clay? Oh lord, it was awesome to read and pretty cool of Murray to respond. But I can't help asking myself: "Why does he even bother? He must have something better to do with his spare time"

Oh please god, let there be a world where this happens and let me be listening/reading along! :mrgreen: :grin:

to the topic: wtf? troll was beaten by patient murray. murray imo showed some mental difficulties he's dealing with (at least for a world top athlete).

 

[Deleted member 307496]

No way am I believing that is the real Murray.

These guys pay agents to use their twitter accounts for them.

Think about it - with the amount of travelling, training and gym work these guys need to do, do you really think they have any spare time for social media?

Just because they are tennis players doesn't mean they have no spare time/don't enjoy normal activities. As was said in this thread before, they are human.

 

[Gonzo_style]

Homeboy Hotel is my new hero!

 

[Flint]

"The world No 4 took one of his near three million followers on Twitter to task on Monday for questioning his methods in a curiously long exchange – you never know what you are going to get from Murray on social media, but at least he does not leave his account to others for mere PR puffs."



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/te...l-wedding-world-No-4-prepares-Miami-Open.html

 

[latso]

Andy's scoring points.

Get to like him better season after season.

I would have just sarcastically killed the guy with his know-it-all, yet who-am-i...

 

[stringertom]

Oh My God, you have got to be kidding me!! This cannot be real man:lol: Bwahahah Andy Murray did not just have an open minded discussion with freaking Homeboy Hotel!! What's next? Nadal talking with Clarky? Djokovic with Chico? Federer with 90's clay? Oh lord, it was awesome to read and pretty cool of Murray to respond. But I can't help asking myself: "Why does he even bother? He must have something better to do with his spare time"

Fed spanks XC's terre battue 0 and 1, leaving himself enough energy to take on and smack down oldpelota in similar fashion.

 

[HipRotation]

No way am I believing that is the real Murray.

These guys pay agents to use their twitter accounts for them.

Think about it - with the amount of travelling, training and gym work these guys need to do, do you really think they have any spare time for social media?

It seems that they do have spare time, probably after dinner as they pretty much have nothing to do other than sit in their hotel room and wait to fall asleep.

 

[vanioMan]

I find it funny that so many people here say "Oh doesn't Andy have better things to go/How could he waste his time with some internet trolls" and etc.

Jeez, you sound like a woman on her period. Maybe you should appreciate the fact that Andy had an open-minded chat and we learned some things about him, rather than b*tch an moan about it. If you fell on the street and somebody offers your help, what would you do - ask him if he doesn't have more important things to do, or accept his assistance?

 

[kishnabe]

Homeboy Hotel at it again....

what did he do last time?

Interesting read....

 

[Mainad]

Homeboy Hotel at it again....

what did he do last time?

He has tweeted Murray before. Not on this scale though.

 

[wy2sl0]

If you are going to get that much time with Murray at least have half a tennis mind and bring up some valid points.

A) Come to net way more considering how good your hands are.
B) Serve more doubles by going bigger on the second, especially in early matches against poor players that you can break at will.
C) Hit left right left right left right like Djokovic does SO WELL, i.e. 2011 run. Not everyone moves as well as you, use that to your advantage.
D) Go for more winners when you are up 40-0 and 40-15, even if it means running around your BH which is incredibly good. Confidence is key in important moments.
E) Way too predictable with CC passes, go down the line a couple more times a match to give people doubt.

Respect to Andy though, he actually is a pretty normal guy, considering he is a sports star and millionaire. A lot of respect.

 

[*Sparkle*]

This is quality. Murray very politely, but firmly put a 'concerned fan' in his place. The line a lot of people on here could learn from was "just because you don't see it, doesn't mean it doesn't happen".

If this went on in the middle of a tournament, I'd join with those worried about him being distracted, but he'd just finished with one, and was still in pre-tournament mode for the next one. He's probably fed-up with the ignorant experts sending him their original insights, and maybe it's more cathartic to politely explain to one of them why they don't have a clue, than to simply ignore them.

Actually, given that the opening of discussion was HH suggesting Murray should watch Djokovic-Federer to learn how to serve properly, I enjoyed the bit about how he did watch, and that even Djokovic kept double-faulting at key moments!

During IW, Murray spent some time in the BBC Radio commentary box, and he was asked about it. He said everything looks easier from up there, and if he were to commentate, he would be more forgiving of the players when they make apparent mistakes. He also took the opportunity to explain that in the match they were watching, the player missed her shot, because her opponent had made it really hard to return. He was keen to praise the approach of the player who won the point, not criticise the one who didn't.

 

[Tennis wizard]

Andy what a champion ! anyone criticizing Andy for this should pull the rod from their ***

 

[tacou]

Muzza is the man

 

[Govnor]

Muzza is the man

MUZZZZZZAAAAA!!!!!!!!!

 

[sez]

Respect for Andy just grew tenfold, would have been perfect if he should have slipped in a link to a tt thread about andy's problems.

 

[kishnabe]

Respect for Andy just grew tenfold, would have been perfect if he should have slipped in a link to a tt thread about andy's problems.

Muzza, got destroyed thread....would be interesting.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Muzza, got destroyed thread....would be interesting.

Or even just someone posting this:

Does anybody want more proof that Murray will never win a GS??
Her has no weapons whatsoever.Querrey made him run from one side to the other like a dog in training.At the end of the match He was very tired and what running like a crazy headless chicken did for him?
A few extra points,but not a match.
There are only more and more players beating him and people still say that he has chance to win multiple majors with that serve ,forehand and volley skills.
I don;t think it is possible to win anything with Murray's 15 y.o forehand anymore.
The pusher got what He deserved.Querrey hit through him,hit him off the court.

 

[The Green Mile]

Wow, that's pretty cool. And unexpected!...

 

[JanowiczJ]

That was great. I'm not sure about this HH character but he came across very respectfully, prepared Andy for much more aggressive questions but ended up doing a great interview. Better than 99,9% of the interviews I've ever read.

He sounded like a fan that is too critical of andy and somehow repulses him. Same way I dislike Federer because of his losses to Nadal. He got his answers, hopefully one day Federer will open his mind and give us all the reasons behind his mental struggle against "Rafa" (I also hate the fact he calls him 'rafa'. Shoulda call him Mr: Parera.).

Anyways, Andy didn't show any insecurity talking to a fan. Quite the contrary. People averse of reading criticism are the ones with insecurity issues.