Murray will be next No.1

[nikdom]

Murray has turned a corner and I really think he will go on from here to become a multiple slam winner like Novak and become the next new No.1

If I'm investing money in the tennis stock market, I'm putting money on Murray, JMDP. Hold on Novak and Roger. Nadal - who knows? My personal feeling is that he will come back and only focus on the clay season.

Also, for what its worth, the next great rivalry will be Murray-JMDP alongside Novak-Murray and Novak-Nadal.

 

[batz]

Murray has turned a corner and I really think he will go on from here to become a multiple slam winner like Novak and become the next No.1

If I'm investing money in the tennis stock market, I'm putting money on Murray, JMDP. Hold on Novak and Roger. Nadal - who knows? My personal feeling is that he will come back and only focus on the clay season.

Also, for what its worth, the next great rivalry will be Murray-JMDP alongside Novak-Murray and Novak-Nadal.

Bloody hell mate - this is a bit of a change of tack for you - what's behind it?

FWIW, I hear Murray is absolutely buzzing after his training bloc with Mr Lendl down in sunny Florida.

 

[nikdom]

Bloody hell mate - this is a bit of a change of tack for you - what's behind it?

FWIW, I hear Murray is absolutely buzzing after his training bloc with Mr Lendl down in sunny Florida.

Change of tack? I've never been a Murray detractor. I've only said the hype surrounding him before even he won his first slam was too much.

In fact, if you look at the Santa thread I'd created last year same time, I wished that Murray win his first slam at the USO (his favorite) and I'm happy it turned out that way.

There are things about Murray I don't like for sure. His dour demeanor and cursing on court get me the most and his sometimes filial attitude to Nadal is grating, but I've always thought he's a gifted player. The inconsistent serve and loopy/defensive forehand were an issue but looks like he's sorted those out for the most part now.

 

[batz]

Change of tack? I've never been a Murray detractor. I've only said the hype surrounding him before even he won his first slam was too much.

In fact, if you look at the Santa thread I'd created last year same time, I wished that Murray win his first slam at the USO (his favorite) and I'm happy it turned out that way.

There are things about Murray I don't like for sure. His dour demeanor and cursing on court get me the most and his sometimes filial attitude to Nadal is grating, but I've always thought he's a gifted player. The inconsistent serve and loopy/defensive forehand were an issue but looks like he's sorted those out for the most part now.

Woah buddy - you misunderstand the point I was trying to make, you've always been fair to Murray - I'm not saying otherwise, not for a minute.

But I've never seen you say he could be a number 1 and/or multiple slam winner - that's all I'm saying. I was just wondering what made you alter your views a bit?

 

[nikdom]

Hey batz, my brother and I watched Murray at the USO this year, live, for the first time. It was against Cilic (quarters I think)

We both came away impressed by his racquet head control. Like Roger he is extremely gifted at ball control but also his anticipation.

Novak is a really effective player but he doesn't come across to me as gifted. Murray is.

 

[nikdom]

Woah buddy - you misunderstand the point I was trying to make, you've always been fair to Murray - I'm not saying otherwise, not for a minute.

But I've never seen you say he could be a number 1 and/or multiple slam winner - that's all I'm saying. I was just wondering what made you alter your views a bit?

I think the slam part was always a big when rather than an if. But especially after 2012, I really think he has turned a corner. I don't have any rational proof for it, just my feeling. The weight of not having converted previous slam chances was weighing on him. Even Roger has said the same - that all it'll take is getting over that first hump.

To be sure, there are no guarantees and I'm not a blind fanboy, but reasonable people will agree that he definitely has the chance if his head and heart are in the right place.

 

[NatF]

Murray has a lot of points he can grab if he does well in the clay season and picks up a masters or 2 early in the year. He's got a great shot to grab number 1 and a couple of slams.

 

[batz]

I think the slam part was always a big when rather than an if. But especially after 2012, I really think he has turned a corner. I don't have any rational proof for it, just my feeling. The weight of not having converted previous slam chances was weighing on him. Even Roger has said the same - that all it'll take is getting over that first hump.

To be sure, there are no guarantees and I'm not a blind fanboy, but reasonable people will agree that he definitely has the chance if his head and heart are in the right place.

This is bang on. You probably haven't seen his interview with Sky about half an hour after winning the USO? He wandered over to their studio above the practice courts and gave a brutally honest assessment of how he felt - said the main feeling was relief. Also said he had many dark moments where he was full of self doubt - including before the USO Final!:shock: Goes on to say he look at himself in the mirror and told himself that nobody had lost their first 5 slam finals and that he wasn't going to be that guy!

I'll post the video if you're interested.

I really hope your forecast is correct

 

[nikdom]

This is bang on. You probably haven't seen his interview with Sky about half an hour after winning the USO? He wandered over to their studio above the practice courts and gave a brutally honest assessment of how he felt - said the main feeling was relief. Also said he had many dark moments where he was full of self doubt - including before the USO Final!:shock: Goes on to say he look at himself in the mirror and told himself that nobody had lost their first 5 slam finals and that he wasn't going to be that guy!

I'll post the video if you're interested.

I really hope your forecast is correct

Sure dude, if you can. He's a good interview.

 

[batz]

Sure dude, if you can. He's a good interview.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fseiNdfFs8

This is the whole match - if he go to 5 hours and 15 you'll see his interview with the Sky guys.

 

[Carsomyr]

I think so too, but his performance post-USO last year planted some doubts in my mind. Still, I think it was just emotional wear after finally winning a major. Federer suffered after Wimbledon until the WTF in 2003.

 

[nikdom]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fseiNdfFs8

This is the whole match - if he go to 5 hours and 15 you'll see his interview with the Sky guys.

Great! I'll do that. Gotta run for now. Thanks for the vid!

 

[Clarky21]

He's gonna have to wrestle it away from Eeyore next year if he wants it. I think he can, but it will not be easy. One thing he's got going for him is it's pretty much a two man race so he won't have a whole lot of opposition to deal with outside of Eeyore(and maybe Fed).

 

[Mike Sams]

Hey batz, my brother and I watched Murray at the USO this year, live, for the first time. It was against Cilic (quarters I think)

We both came away impressed by his racquet head control. Like Roger he is extremely gifted at ball control but also his anticipation.

Novak is a really effective player but he doesn't come across to me as gifted. Murray is.

If you're talking gifts then you could include many many players who just never reached their full potential. Does David Nalbandian possess less gifts than clay court specialist Nadal when they play on hardcourts? Absolutely not. But Nadal is 100 times fitter and twice the fighter.
Djokovic is a stronger player than Murray and mentally can overcome his opposition while Murray folds. Plus his quickness, flexibility and forehand is better than Murray's. Backhand also is a bit stronger I think.

 

[kishnabe]

Yup he will be the next new no.1 player( don't think Delpo or non Fedalovic will beat Murray to the punch) but not the next No.1 Player.

Fedal will take the number 1 ranking back a few more times before Murray fully pulls through.

Though I could be wrong in the next 6 months depending on a Murray domination like Novak did in 2011.

Murray winning a slam does help his confidence but it just too high of a jump. Maybe if it was such a top heavy sport Murray would just need a slam and a few decent results to take number 1. Like Hewitt in 2000-02.

The top 4 are conjested with points....Murray would have to win at least 2 slams and maybe like 4-6 MS1000....and nothing below SF in every tournament to pull it off. Ask Novak 2011.....Nadal wasn't even far behind then...


So I don't see Murray getting the ranking till Fedal burn out and retire. When it just Murray and Novak plus the other contendors....I can see Murray take Number 1.

 

[Mike Sams]

He's gonna have to wrestle it away from Eeyore next year if he wants it. I think he can, but it will not be easy. One thing he's got going for him is it's pretty much a two man race so he won't have a whole lot of opposition to deal with outside of Eeyore(and maybe Fed).

His name is Novak Djokovic. Not Eeyore or whatever stupid garbage you keep coming up with. Stop trying to act smart on here with your zero gift for gab. :lol:

 

[batz]

He's gonna have to wrestle it away from Eeyore next year if he wants it. I think he can, but it will not be easy. One thing he's got going for him is it's pretty much a two man race so he won't have a whole lot of opposition to deal with outside of Eeyore(and maybe Fed).

Clarky, mate - c'mon. Rafa is going to be there or thereabouts. I know it's your schtick to talk him down, but really?

He'll be hitting his stride by the time the clay season rolls around. He's favourite to win RG, and that could well propel him on to a good run @ SW19. It's not like we haven't seen it before.

 

[mattennis]

I think Murray will be Nº1 for some weeks during 2013, and I think he will win more GS tournaments (about three or four in total), at least I believe he has potential to do it.

 

[Clarky21]

Clarky, mate - c'mon. Rafa is going to be there or thereabouts. I know it's your schtick to talk him down, but really?

He'll be hitting his stride by the time the clay season rolls around. He's favourite to win RG, and that could well propel him on to a good run @ SW19. It's not like we haven't seen it before.

Yeah, really.


How can someone be the favorite for any tournament when they have been out for 6 months, and have barely practiced at all within that time? Nadal is not the favorite for anything at this point. We don't know how much further he will have declined when he gets back, or even if his body will hold up. I still think it's a 2 man race with Fed coming in a distant 3rd. Nobody else even matters.

 

[Steve0904]

Murray's main problem in becoming #1 is that he has relatively bad clay results, and these days especially you can't get away with that. However I still think he gets to #1 at some point. If not in 2013 then surely at some point in 2014. For the record, I think he gets to #1 post USO 2013.

 

[batz]

Yeah, really.


How can someone be the favorite for any tournament when they have been out for 6 months, and have barely practiced at all within that time? Nadal is not the favorite for anything at this point. We don't know how much further he will have declined when he gets back, or even if his body will hold up. I still think it's a 2 man race with Fed coming in a distant 3rd. Nobody else even matters.

You need to ask these guys. 20+ different bookies, all of them have Rafa as clear favourite - most of them odds-on at that.

http://www.oddschecker.com/tennis/french-open/mens/mens-french-open/winner

He won't have been out for 6 months by the time RG rolls around. I accept he'll likely be rusty at the AO and is probably 4th favourite for that - but RG he is still the man to beat.

 

[Clarky21]

You need to ask these guys. 20+ different bookies, all of them have Rafa as clear favourite - most of them odds-on at that.

http://www.oddschecker.com/tennis/french-open/mens/mens-french-open/winner

He won't have been out for 6 months by the time RG rolls around. I accept he'll likely be rusty at the AO and is probably 4th favourite for that - but RG he is still the man to beat.

I don't care what a bunch of gamblers think. That's just a bunch of guessing in hopes of making a quick buck.


No, Eeyore is. And even if Nadal will have been back for a while before RG next year, we still don't know what his condition will be, or if he will even play there considering he is constantly injured. I'll be shocked if he even shows up for half the year next year much less the full year.

 

[nikdom]

Funny how some people hijack every thread and make it about Nadal all the while accusing others of being ****s and unfair.

 

[Clarky21]

Funny how some people hijack every thread and make it about Nadal all the while accusing others of being ****s and unfair.

Shouldn't you be creating more troll threads? Isn't that what you have been doing for the past few days anyway?

And nobody was hijacking anything. It's called discussion, but since you want to play board police, I will refrain from speaking about anything you don't approve of, boss.

 

[nikdom]

Shouldn't you be creating more troll threads? Isn't that what you have been doing for the past few days anyway?

And nobody was hijacking anything. It's called discussion, but since you want to play board police, I will refrain from speaking about anything you don't approve of, boss.

Stick to the topic, that's all.

 

[Clarky21]

Stick to the topic, that's all.

Sure thing, boss. Anything you say, boss.

 

[The Bawss]

Edit: Nah, nothing.

 

[nikdom]

If you're talking gifts then you could include many many players who just never reached their full potential

This thread is about Murray so I'm discussing him. Yes, of course there have been many gifted players. Some reached their potential, some did not.

Djokovic is a stronger player than Murray and mentally can overcome his opposition while Murray folds.

All I said is that Djokovic is less "gifted" or talented. It's a subjective opinion yes, but where did I say Djokovic is not great? He's achieved a lot more than Murray as well, but I still think he does not have an intuitive feel for the game as much as Murray does. Djokovic may be brutally effective with his fitness, mental strength and DTL shots, but he doesn't play with as much touch and finesse.

Plus his quickness, flexibility and forehand is better than Murray's. Backhand also is a bit stronger I think.

I don't agree at all. Murray's backhand is killer.

 

[*Sparkle*]

I don't care what a bunch of gamblers think. That's just a bunch of guessing in hopes of making a quick buck.

Then why did you object to Nadal being described as the favourite? That's what it means.

I agree that Murray's biggest stumbling point for a #1 spot is his clay season, but if he stays healthy, he's bound to do better this year than last, possibly a lot better. Lendl was making noises about how he can be very good on clay, and yes, he would say that, but he sounded as if he was a man with a plan.

To be honest, I'd be happy with Murray reaching his seeded positions during the clay season, making sure he doesn't drop too many points compared with the others, rather than expecting great things. Even if they work on his clay game, I don't think they'll waste too much energy on it, at least not yet. I can see them focusing on other aspects of his game next year and if that goes well, turning their attention more seriously to clay in 2014.

On the other hand, Lendl does seem to love his secrets, so maybe he'll get Andy working on his clay game in secret, ready to surprise everyone, including Nadal at RG! :twisted:

 

[cc0509]

I don't care what a bunch of gamblers think. That's just a bunch of guessing in hopes of making a quick buck.


No, Eeyore is. And even if Nadal will have been back for a while before RG next year, we still don't know what his condition will be, or if he will even play there considering he is constantly injured. I'll be shocked if he even shows up for half the year next year much less the full year.

Clarky, Nadal won Barcelona, Monte Carlo and Rome this year without losing a set. Nadal is not likely losing the FO in 2013 unless he is severely injured.

 

[Clarky21]

Clarky, Nadal won Barcelona, Monte Carlo and Rome this year without losing a set. Nadal is not likely losing the FO in 2013 unless he is severely injured.

No way he will win RG next year. How many players his age with such a grinding style keep winning on clay? Not many.

Oops, am I allowed to talk about this, boss?

 

[Mainad]

To be honest, I'd be happy with Murray reaching his seeded positions during the clay season, making sure he doesn't drop too many points compared with the others, rather than expecting great things. Even if they work on his clay game, I don't think they'll waste too much energy on it, at least not yet. I can see them focusing on other aspects of his game next year and if that goes well, turning their attention more seriously to clay in 2014.

On the other hand, Lendl does seem to love his secrets, so maybe he'll get Andy working on his clay game in secret, ready to surprise everyone, including Nadal at RG! :twisted:

Murray really does need to improve his clay game. It's amazing to think after 7 years on the tour, 24 titles and reaching #3 in the rankings, he has yet to even make the final of a clay tournament. Clay really is the one big gap in his resumé.

At the same time, I'm hoping any improvements on clay don't come at the expense of his bread-and-butter hardcourt and grass game.

 

[Hawkeye7]

Murray really does need to improve his clay game. It's amazing to think after 7 years on the tour, 24 titles and reaching #3 in the rankings, he has yet to even make the final of a clay tournament. Clay really is the one big gap in his resumé.

At the same time, I'm hoping any improvements on clay don't come at the expense of his bread-and-butter hardcourt and grass game.

Well, the thing is, he only entered 'big' clay tournaments these last few years, where better clay court players such as Nadal, Djokovic and Ferrer (he never met Fed on clay) played as well. So honestly, it's not such a huge surprise that he has never made the final in any of those events.

I also think though that he is immensely underrated on clay and that some people might be in for a surprise in the future.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

No way he will win RG next year. How many players his age with such a grinding style keep winning on clay? Not many.

Oops, am I allowed to talk about this, boss?

And if he does, will you be the first to admit that you were wrong?

Nadal is the greatest on clay, remember? Even when he doesn't play well, like RG 2011, he still wins, and when he plays well...everyone should just pray he doesn't bury them upright in the clay and collect their heads as a trophy.

 

[pound cat]

I hope he's never #1. No one outside of the Uk and Canada will ever understand his mumbled Scottish accent and dour demeanour. # 1 should be an ambassador of tennis, a lively personality with opinions on various topicsand I can't journalists or people anywhere relating to him. Sad but true.

 

[nikdom]

I hope he's never #1. No one outside of the Uk and Canada will ever understand his mumbled Scottish accent and dour demeanour. # 1 should be an ambassador of tennis, a lively personality with opinions on various topicsand I can't journalists or people anywhere relating to him. Sad but true.

Success changes a man's outlook. Perhaps Murray will take on the role more enthusiastically when he gets there. Perhaps he will not have much choice. The folks preceding him have had to be charismatic and carry the torch so to speak.

Sampras was a lesson for people. Everyone saw how he was doing things in men's tennis that hadn't been done in a long time yet he was aloof and uninterested/unable to be an ambassador for the sport.

I have no doubt that Agassi on the other hand had a great impact in how, despite being the lesser man in terms of his tennis achievements, was a bigger presence in the sport - if only because he became very respectful of what the game gave him towards the end and how he gave back to society in his own way.

 

[Hawkeye7]

I hope he's never #1. No one outside of the Uk and Canada will ever understand his mumbled Scottish accent and dour demeanour. # 1 should be an ambassador of tennis, a lively personality with opinions on various topicsand I can't journalists or people anywhere relating to him. Sad but true.

Rubbish. The number #1 player should be the best in the world at the time, nothing more, nothing less.

And just because you can't relate to him doesn't mean everyone else feels the same way.

 

[nikdom]

Rubbish. The number #1 player should be the best in the world at the time, nothing more, nothing less.

And just because you can't relate to him doesn't mean everyone else feels the same way.

Can't say I disagree with this either...

 

[NadalAgassi]

You need to ask these guys. 20+ different bookies, all of them have Rafa as clear favourite - most of them odds-on at that.

http://www.oddschecker.com/tennis/french-open/mens/mens-french-open/winner

He won't have been out for 6 months by the time RG rolls around. I accept he'll likely be rusty at the AO and is probably 4th favourite for that - but RG he is still the man to beat.

I think Nadal is 2nd or 3rd favorite for the Australian. Yes he might be rusty but slow hard courts are good for his game. Amazing really he has only won it once, he really ought to win it atleast one more time before his career ends, whether it will be in 2013 or not who knows. Favorite for the French obviously. Regardless of what the bookies say I would probably have him as 1st or 2nd favorite for Wimbledon, along with Federer, in odds, although I really feel Nadal or Murray will win it next year, not Federer. Either way bookies have Djokovic as favorite to win Wimbledon is a huge LOL. U.S Open I would have him as only 3rd favorite behind Djokovic or Murray right now, but that could change depending on what happens between now and then.

 

[adil1972]

Murray has turned a corner and I really think he will go on from here to become a multiple slam winner like Novak and become the next new No.1

If I'm investing money in the tennis stock market, I'm putting money on Murray, JMDP. Hold on Novak and Roger. Nadal - who knows? My personal feeling is that he will come back and only focus on the clay season.

Also, for what its worth, the next great rivalry will be Murray-JMDP alongside Novak-Murray and Novak-Nadal.

doubtful........

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Murray will end 2013 at #2.

 

[Fiji]

Yes he will.

 

[Laurie]

I think Murray is good enough to become number 1. But at the moment I don't see Murray being a dominant number 1 unless he continues to improve important parts of his game and play more aggressive more often than not. He's still a work in progress even at the age of 25 or is it 26?