Week 40 - ATP 500 - Tokyo (Hard)

Julia Carrot · All-time great

RE: Week 40 - ATP 500 - Tokyo (Hard)

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

I'm sticking to my guns. I'll only be happy about it if Andy doesn't bomb out in Shanghai. So there

Jan · Hall of fame

That was awesome from Andy this morning

Spectator · All-time great

Saw the highlights on the ATP website. That was some beautiful tennis Murray was playing.

Interesting. The rest of the year he's is gearing up to peak at the Slams. Now the Slams are over ... and he's playing with the kind of authority and freedom that's lovely to watch. Is there a freedom in not having to think about the next Slam?

indiana · Tennis legend

Spectator wrote:
Saw the highlights on the ATP website. That was some beautiful tennis Murray was playing.

Interesting. The rest of the year he's is gearing up to peak at the Slams. Now the Slams are over ... and he's playing with the kind of authority and freedom that's lovely to watch. Is there a freedom in not having to think about the next Slam?

Perhaps. He has said that his aim for the tournaments from the Asia swing through to the end of the year was to get to no 3 in th rankings, which it now looks much more likely than not he will achieve.

But that to me is just an aim to help keep motivation.

The bulid up to Slams I imagine is quite different. That said he did win his last tournaments before both Wimbledon and the US Open and was in good clay court form going into the French Open, though his current form appears like it is maybe his form of the year.

Whatever, I wish I'd seen some of his matches last week, particularly the final. Seems to have been in very good form.

-- Edited by indiana on Monday 10th of October 2011 12:40:32 PM

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

I don't think I've ever seen him play better, Indie. Think how he trounced Roddick at Queens: many people said, "well yes, but it's only Roddick". Then transfer how he was playing in that match and substitute Ferrer and Nadal of all people (apart from the very start of that match). In the third set, Rafa looked as helpless and lost as Roddick, yet he had started the match looking his usual imperious self.

-- Edited by Madeline on Monday 10th of October 2011 10:21:30 AM

Spectator · All-time great

Thanks for the comments. Yes, Indie, I think he basically as much as said that he felt that in the past he'd win tournaments too far ahead of the Slams, peaking too early, and then run out of steam (esp at the US Open). So it made sense that he really worked to get the tournaments just before Slams.

But it just felt, watching him in those few highlight minutes, as if there was a freedom to be daring, and a consequent authority, that I just can't recall seeing against one of the top 3 in a while (except maybe that first set against Nadal at Wimbledon).

RJA · Hall of fame

I have long argued that Andy is more than capable of winning slams but that it will not happen until he believes in himself on the biggest stage and is willing to back his talent. He needs to find a way to play with the freedom and belief that he did yesterday when it comes to the very biggest matches.

Maza1987 · Challenger level

Madeline wrote:
I'm sticking to my guns. I'll only be happy about it if Andy doesn't bomb out in Shanghai. So there

We're waiting. smile

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

OK - I know when I'm beaten!