Why is murray not playing against anyone like he did against nadal yesterday?

[dominikk1985]

yesterday murray played really great. he was super aggressive and hit the ball hard and early with very heavy spin.

that guy has so much power, so why is he falling into the pusher mode against other opponents so often?

I know it's probably mental because murray considers himself a counter puncher (he even fired a coach years ago who wanted to make him more aggressive) but murray is so much better when he attacks himself.

why can't he always play like this? the way he let novak slaughter him without providing any resistance was a shame. I mean did he expect that novak starts to choke? go some risk if you are loosing, esp. if you can hit hard like murray.

 

[Dilettante]

Because players are human and can't play at the same level all the time.

 

[Laurie]

It's been an interesting week for Murray. Early on in the week, the BBC ran an interview between Murray and Jonathon Overend about his meetings with David Haye in Miami. They had lunch together a few times and Murray went to watch him training. Murray said he was struck by David's intensity in training and also when they spoke, how intense David Haye was about getting the mind right for a challenge, he said he learned a lot.

And from the first match this week, Murray has been playing much more intense. Of course, we've been questioning Murray's attitude and lack of gameplan in big matches for some time so its good to see if he finally realises what he needs to do to get to the very top.

What I would question is this, why did Murray have to watch a boxer to learn something? Look at the intensity of the top players when they play, Murray could have been observing them to see what he needed to do to improve - interesting.

 

[Clay lover]

I think nadal's playing style basically demands their opponent to play high concentration, high intensity aggressive tennis or else they would stand little chance to win, especially on clay. So, whenever guys like Djokovic and Murray play Nadal you're always guaranteed an exciting match. Fed, on the other hand, doesn't seem to have the same intensity as those two guys when facing Nadal.

 

[Messarger]

Because players are human and can't play at the same level all the time.

It's funny how he always plays like that against Nadal though. It's as if he's trying to impress Xisca, or something.

 

[dominikk1985]

I think nadal's playing style basically demands their opponent to play high concentration, high intensity aggressive tennis or else they would stand little chance to win, especially on clay. So, whenever guys like Djokovic and Murray play Nadal you're always guaranteed an exciting match. Fed, on the other hand, doesn't seem to have the same intensity as those two guys when facing Nadal.

muurya and Novak have a BH unlike nadal and Fed.

that's why they can keep up the pressure all the time.

 

[mistik]

Murray has winning record against fed,so i am not sure i buy the theory that he is playing better against Nadal,a player Murray has a losing record.i mean Fed and Murray never meet before the final on a major stage and Murray becomes a total coward when it is a gs final.i mean i can easily see Murray beat fed and djoko if they meet before the finals on a major level.Murray is clearly a guy who has GS FINAL SYNDROME.thats why he looked great against nadal AO 2010 it was QF not a final,and looked really good on 2008 US Semi which wasnt a final as we all know.i see him having a crushing defeat against Nadal on a major final.

 

[Oceansize]

Yeah, this has annoyed me too. He needs to pretend he's playing Nadal every match. Unfortunately though, against most other players, he obviously feels more comfortable playing quite passively. At almost 24 years old, i've given up on him changing this now. It's a shame though, as he's a lot more fun to watch when he mixes in more aggression on his groundstrokes.

 

[batz]

yesterday murray played really great. he was super aggressive and hit the ball hard and early with very heavy spin.

that guy has so much power, so why is he falling into the pusher mode against other opponents so often?

I know it's probably mental because murray considers himself a counter puncher (he even fired a coach years ago who wanted to make him more aggressive) but murray is so much better when he attacks himself.

why can't he always play like this? the way he let novak slaughter him without providing any resistance was a shame. I mean did he expect that novak starts to choke? go some risk if you are loosing, esp. if you can hit hard like murray.

He's a Rafa-hater; there's no other explanation.

 

[MixieP]

Yesterday you watched the new Muurya. This is how he will play from now on. Forget about the past and look forward. The future is bright.

 

[Oceansize]

He's a Rafa-hater; there's no other explanation.

Apparently Murray said after the match "I 'ate him. I 'ate his little face, I 'ate his guts, and I 'ate the way he's always barkin'. I also 'ate the mess he left on the rug... You heard me!"

I think this is right, or i could just be confusing Murray with Groundskeeper Willie again.

Murray

Groundskeeper Willie

 

[dominikk1985]

Because players are human and can't play at the same level all the time.

I'm not talking about playing as good. obviously he will have bad days as anyone.

I'm just talking about playing aggressive. I think you can always try to play aggressive no matter how you are in shape.

I think he should always try to be that aggressive. would be good for his game.

 

[Heracles]

Nadal played poorly yesterday.

Deal with it. Murray had a good week.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Murray really does step his game up against Rafa though, it's weird.

 

[LeftySpin]

he lost to nadal in topspin, so hes trying to get his revenge on the court

 

[Mainad]

Murray doesn't hate Nadal.He has great respect for him.He and Federer are traditionally the two players he usually aims to play well against because,until recently, they were both the best! He has a good record against Fed, not so good against Rafa,and sees him as the one to pit himself against especially on clay,his least successful surface.Rafa and Fed usually always bring out the best in Andy! Of course,the new,improved Novak must now be added to the mix (prior to the AO final,Murray had beaten him in their last 3 encounters).

 

[DRII]

Murray plays aggressively against Nadal because he realizes Nadal is the only player who is better at defense than he is ...

With any other player, Murray has a chance to win playing his normal game the vast majority of the time except in grand slam semis and finals. Assuming Murray is playing well.

 

[TheTruth]

I think nadal's playing style basically demands their opponent to play high concentration, high intensity aggressive tennis or else they would stand little chance to win, especially on clay. So, whenever guys like Djokovic and Murray play Nadal you're always guaranteed an exciting match. Fed, on the other hand, doesn't seem to have the same intensity as those two guys when facing Nadal.

Absolutely agree. They have to play uber aggressive or they'll be rewarded with a scoreline like Verdasco suffered last year. There would no give because Nadal plays every point from the beginning of the match until the end.

What's sad though, is how they don't realize that this same aggressive style would work against other players too.

Or, it's difficult to change what works with other players when you're so successful winning with it. So, when faced with the choice they resort to what works 90% of the time, but know that it won't be enough when facing Nadal.