Andy Murray/Tennis thread 2014

[captainfog]

Not a great start to the year for the Scotchman.

[Buzzo]

Not a great start to the year for the Scotchman.

Easing himself back after his back op he's won a couple and lost a couple.

[RichC]

The Aussie open starts a week on Monday, let's hope Murray gets an easy start to it as he looks like he needs an few matches before being tested too much

[Buzzo]

I reckon he will be building for another tilt at Wimbledon and the US this year. A decent showing in the Aussie will be good for him, plus he has shown a desire to compete at the French but it is impossible to see past Nadal for the French until he retires or his knees pack in. The positive is that recently Nadals efforts in the French have taken him out of contention for Wimbledon - though am I roght in saying there is an extra week between the 2 tournaments this year?

I'm actually reading the his book 77 right now. Its more of a momento than a serious documentary, but it gives a great insight into the sportsman that he is.

Apparently every year before Wimbledon the pressure manifests itself in him getting really bad mouth ulcers. Reading about him make you appreciate his achievements even more. He comes across as incredibly self aware, with a maturity way beyond his years. He comments on his relationship with tennis journo's that has not been easy in his reaching a simple understanding along the lines of 'I am paid to play tennis, they are paid to write about it'. In general terms he isn't that bothered about it.

I'd like to see him add another major this year, but wouldn't be surprised if he struggles to hit the heights of the last 2 years as he re-focuses.

[RichC]

If imagine those are his goals but he's down very well at the Aus open in recent years, 3 finals in 4 years is bloody impressive, clearly likes the tournament and leaves him with a lot of points to defend.

This year will be interesting, after the massive highs of winning the US in 2012 and then Wimbledon last year it will be tough to keep up to those levels of success but now those two major monkeys are off his back ( no major winner for 77 years (76 if you want to be pedantic) and no winner of Wimbledon since FP) could see him kick on now as well.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him pick up another major at all this season and hope he does so as well.

[Buzzo]

If imagine those are his goals but he's down very well at the Aus open in recent years, 3 finals in 4 years is bloody impressive, clearly likes the tournament and leaves him with a lot of points to defend.

This year will be interesting, after the massive highs of winning the US in 2012 and then Wimbledon last year it will be tough to keep up to those levels of success but now those two major monkeys are off his back ( no major winner for 77 years (76 if you want to be pedantic) and no winner of Wimbledon since FP) could see him kick on now as well.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him pick up another major at all this season and hope he does so as well.

He has to be so at ease with himself having won a couple of Slams now. He mentions that in the last Aus open final (though he lost) it was the most comfortable he had ever felt during a Slam final, and that after winning the first set he knows he had a couple of opportunities to win the second it didn't happen and Novak triumphed. It seems that there are very fine margins between success and failure at the top level.

Would be nice to see him get to the Aussie Final and get an 'easier' game in the final, as he's always had Fed or Djok. But its hard to see past Murray, Novak or Nadal for the title.

[RichC]

I'd agree those three are the big favourites for the title but the Aussie open is the one that sometimes throws up a surprise winner like a Safin or Johansson but it's been a while since that's happened.

I wonder if we might finally see a real resurgence from Del Potro this season

[Buzzo]

I'd agree those three are the big favourites for the title but the Aussie open is the one that sometimes throws up a surprise winner like a Safin or Johansson but it's been a while since that's happened.

I wonder if we might finally see a real resurgence from Del Potro this season

Yeah, he needs to recapture his Wimbledon form - he went so close. He and Ferrer just don't seem to have what it takes to make that final jump. They should take inspiration from Murray over the alst few years, though I suspect neither has as complete a game as Murray.

[RichC]

Nadal has won the Qatar open, think that's one of the first times he's won a title in the first week of the season.

Apparently had to have more work on his knees in the break.

[Daniel 7]

Can't see Andy carrying on his traditional Aussie form this year - it seems a bit too soon after his injury / surgery. How will the draw work out this year with Murray's ranking being lower and Federer dropping like a stone? Who would he be likely to get in the semis?

Regardless - I predict a quarter final from him this time but a very strong Wimbledon defence later this year.

[Shaggy]

He's seeded to meet Nadal in the semis I think - usually 1v4 and 2v3. Unless they do it differently in Melbourne.

[Daniel 7]

Nadal's ferocious. What kind of work on his knees rcasemore? Anything likely to inhibit him?

[RichC]

I think it's the same old tendentious issues he's had for years.

The tell of what shape he's in is if he's wearing strapping on his knees or not.

[Buzzo]

His fitness over the coming years will have a massive say in how many more Slams Murray and Novak pick up. It will be interesting to see how Novak gets on with Boris Becker in his team. he has obviously gone the sameway as Murray - but in terms of personalities I am not sure there is enough room for both Becker and Djokovics egos in the team. Murray and Lendl on the other hand seem a perfect match.

And what of Roger, will his decline continue or can he turn it round.

[Daniel 7]

Loving how the big boys of the 80's and early 90's are lining up with the current lot - its ****ing excellent Totally adds to the intrigue

Lendl, Edberg and Boris