Is Murray Improving?

[Slice&Smash]

Is there any indication that Murray's game is improving since Lendl joined his team?

Except for his fitness, I don't.

The single most important area that he should improve is his forehand and to me it is still a stiff neutral shot that he can't use to hurt anyone.

Murray is probably the only top 10 player who doesn't run around his backhand!! When was the last time you saw him hit an inside-out forehand??

I like the guy and I wish he could win a slam soon. But it isn't happening if this continues.

 

[TTMR]

Is there any indication that Murray's game is improving since Lendl joined his team?

Except for his fitness, I don't.

The single most important area that he should improve is his forehand and to me it is still a stiff neutral shot that he can't use to hurt anyone.

Murray is probably the only top 10 player who doesn't run around his backhand!! When was the last time you saw him hit an inside-out forehand??

I like the guy and I wish he could win a slam soon. But it isn't happening if this continues.

He runs around his backhand quite often, possibly too much. I've seen him hit many inside-out forehands. Compared to Nadal and Federer he runs around it less, and that only makes sense since his backhand is better than theirs and forehand worse.

 

[Fedex]

Is there any indication that Murray's game is improving since Lendl joined his team?

Possibly this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpQ9v-0hUPM&feature=related

 

[Carsomyr]

Murray hit his forehand very well in Australia and Dubai. Other than that, it's been pretty standard Murray fare. His run-around forehand is the worst of the top 4 by some margin.

 

[Joehax]

Murray won't breach the top 3 until he improves his mental game.

He has the technique to win..

 

[Fedex]

Murray won't breach the top 3 until he improves his mental game.

He has the technique to win..

I think, generally speaking, Murray is at or near his peak now.
He really can't play much better.
Watch the link again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpQ9v-0hUPM&feature=related

Shortly before that he'd six loved Nadal in Tokyo. Nadal said Murray was unplayable. Ok it was his favourite surface - fast hardcourt but still exceptional play.
Don't know what sort of form you expect from the guy? He's not Superman and there are 3 of the greatest players in the history of the game in front of him.

Mentally he's also strong. Mostly plays pressure points well.

Not a lot more he can do now apart from tactical advise from Lendl.

 

[Slice&Smash]

He runs around his backhand quite often, possibly too much. I've seen him hit many inside-out forehands. Compared to Nadal and Federer he runs around it less, and that only makes sense since his backhand is better than theirs and forehand worse.

I don't think he runs around it anywhere near the other top 3. He is simply less aggressive and content to keep the ball in play using his backhand.

Simple example: Do a you tube search on "Federer / Nadal / Djokovic" and you'll get quite a few results. Try the same for "Murray" and you will get nothing.

 

[Slice&Smash]

I think, generally speaking, Murray is at or near his peak now.
He really can't play much better.
Watch the link again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpQ9v-0hUPM&feature=related

Shortly before that he'd six loved Nadal in Tokyo. Nadal said Murray was unplayable. Ok it was his favourite surface - fast hardcourt but still exceptional play.
Don't know what sort of form you expect from the guy? He's not Superman and there are 3 of the greatest players in the history of the game in front of him.

Mentally he's also strong. Mostly plays pressure points well.

Not a lot more he can do now apart from tactical advise from Lendl.

Murray can improve two aspects of his game:

1- Play a little bit more aggressive: just step forward anytime you get a short ball and finish it with your forehand

2- Although I'm not sure if he can do this at his current age, but 'loosing' up his wrist a bit will add a few mph to his forehand.

I think his serve is the only weapon currently keeping him in the top 4.

 

[Fedex]

I don't think he runs around it anywhere near the other top 3. He is simply less aggressive and content to keep the ball in play using his backhand.

Simple example: Do a you tube search on "Federer / Nadal / Djokovic" and you'll get quite a few results. Try the same for "Murray" and you will get nothing.

The Murray backhand after a quick youtube search:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzkP-UMez2A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuGwWsIhWgU

And if you want to get technical watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGlGEGv2KCg

 

[Fedex]

Murray can improve two aspects of his game:

1- Play a little bit more aggressive: just step forward anytime you get a short ball and finish it with your forehand

2- Although I'm not sure if he can do this at his current age, but 'loosing' up his wrist a bit will add a few mph to his forehand.

I think his serve is the only weapon currently keeping him in the top 4.

His serve is currently the weakest part of his game!
If he got that consistently clicking he'd be going in the opposite direction to what you imagine.

On the contrary, Murray's groundstrokes are what are keeping him at number 4.
His serve is a liability.
Imagine if he got the serve going?!

 

[stringertom]

He has improved... his luck. Two w/o's in Miami and now Bennie's gruesome injury. As to his serve, easily the worst second serve of any top 10er.

 

[batz]

Murray won't breach the top 3 until he improves his mental game.

He has the technique to win..

I hate to break it to you but Murray has been ranked as high as 2 and 'breached' the top 3 as recently as last November.

 

[Mainad]

I think his serve is the only weapon currently keeping him in the top 4.

No way. His serve is often unreliable although very effective when it's on. It's his backhand, range of shots,sheer defensive ability and sheer consistency in employing these things that have got him and kept him where he is at now!

 

[Mainad]

His serve is a liability. Imagine if he got the serve going?!

Hardly a liability as he serves many aces with it giving him cheap points and getting him out of tricky situations.

The only thing currently weak about it is its consistency and his 2nd serve is chronically dodgy.