One more year passed without success in a Grand Slam for Andy Murray. It isn’t that time is ticking fast for the 23-year-old, but give the talent this lad has, it is surprising, and at times frustrating, to see him not win a major by now.
He has won a handful of Masters 1000 series, beaten Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on odd occasions, and is consistent at making a second week appearance in most Slams. However, he falters on each occasion and fails to lift a major.
His best bet to win a major was 2010 Australian Open, when he crossed the first hurdle by beating Nadal in the QFs. He then beat Marin Cilic in 4 sets to reach his second slam final. However, his hopes were dashed by Roger Federer, the second hurdle, in a lopsided final.
The big question for all Murray Fans is what should he do to win a Slam?
Murray is a defensive counter puncher and his game lacks variety. He has shown once in a blue moon that he can play offense as well, but that will hardly win him a Grand Slam. He has to take a leaf out of Nadal, who started as a defensive counter puncher and kept on adding new facets to his game and now uses his lethal forehand as offense. Murray’s present game is extremely predictable so he has to start employing a flatter forehand and use it as a surprise offense shot to take his opponents aback. Chipping and charging, once in a while, will keep his opponents guessing.
Murray has beaten Nadal twice in Grand Slams and has a winning record against Federer, but come the big occasion and he is expected to crumble under pressure against these two giants of the era. Federer and Nadal are experts at gauging the mental state of an opponent. They exactly know what bearing their “come ons” & “Vamos’” have on their opponents. You will never find a Nadal or a Federer yelling or smashing racquets. They remain ice cool even when they lose points. Even if they are upset they don’t let it affect their own game. On the contrary, Murray yells at himself, hits at his racquet strings and at times smashes his racquet. A Federer or a Nadal will sense this emotional vulnerability and nail their opponents. Murray has to remain calm and composed irrespective of the position he is in a match.
Nadal and Federer will be the guys to beat at all the majors in 2011. There is no second thought on that. Anyone harboring hopes of winning a major in 2011 has to beat at least one of these two. Given Murray’s current ranking, he will be drawn to meet either Nadal/Federer in the semi finals. So, he has to hope that someone else takes one of them out before the semis and the guy (either Nadal or Federer) in the final has an off day, because beating Nadal and Federer in two consecutive matches will be tough even for the immortals of the game, let alone Andy Murray. Rub of the green, few minor adjustments to his game and his mental conditioning, should help him lift his maiden Grand Slam.
Excellent……tried to explain the flaws of Andy Murray as an expert, wish Andy glint around the article in order to win a Major
Nice article!
Federer is tremendous at varying his game whenever he seems to be lagging behind. Andy doesn’t ever seem to change his game…as you mentioned Rafa was once a single shot pony…a stronger version of erstwhile Michael Chang. But he worked on his game and devised clear cut ways to beat Federer (aggression, volleys, deeper and higher topspins to expose Federer’s back hand etc.).
I also feel Andy has the game but not the deep rooted desire to beat Federer. After all most Grandslams are won in the mind way way before the actual game.
Cheers!
Sunil