Weeks 12-13 - ATP Masters 1000 - Miami FL, USA (AM) - Hard

steven · Tennis legend

Weeks 12-13 - ATP Masters 1000 - Miami FL, USA (AM) - Hard

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

No problem there, then.

At least he is avoiding Wawrinka and Berdych.

indiana · Tennis legend

This being outside the top 4 thing is proving a bit of a bummer.

Theoretical of course, because for instance Nadal didn't reach the QF last week, but unfortunately neither did Andy !

Josh · Challenger level

Madeline wrote:
No problem there, then.

At least he is avoiding Wawrinka and Berdych.

Well surely Stan would be a preferable potential draw compared to Djokovic in the quarters? Also both Andy and Berdych are in the 5-8 bracket so wouldn't be seeded to meet each other anyway.

Tsonga is arguably the best option in the 9-12 seeds at the moment for a R16 opponent anyway.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Tough end to the draw, but quite a nice beginning, so not a complete nightmare.

BeefyDeedz · Pro player

Good start, but obviously the QF to F are nightmares. But that's what it's always going to be, outside of the top 4. He needs to get back in there as soon as possible, at the end of the day. I certainly expected Andy to lose a hell of a lot of points here, but luckily, the draw means that he *should* get to the QFs. But then, what ever goes to plan anymore?

indiana · Tennis legend

Trouble is QF 180 points replacing title 1000 points is losing a "hell of a lot of points". Winning his first three matches doesn't hugely mitigate that.

I actually do like the APT's progressive ranking points award system ( been taken up more by the WTA this year ), but in situations like this the non linear points system could be rather unhelpful for now.

BeefyDeedz · Pro player

I try to look on the bright side, but you're right of course. Can't really imagine many better times for Andy to come back strong and reach a final.

Spectator · All-time great

Having been pretty gloomy about the prospects of Mr Murray's rankings rising much in the near future, I remain so. That said, I think that Mr Ferrer will probably lose quite a bit in the clay court season, and Mr Wawrinka has a number of points to defend, too. Mr del Potro has the questions around his health. So there could be ground made up by May/June. But on the flip side, there remains the prospect of a run by a 9-12 player.

More encouragingly, Mr Murray must be looking at Mr Federer's return from back problems and gaining encouragement from that!

scottie1 · Futures level

Based on his Indian Wells form I can't see Andy doing anything here. Unless Lendl can get him back into the zone! I can only see his ranking dropping he is not a top 4 player at moment and I think Berdych Federer and even those ranked on top 20 are better than Andy

TMH · Futures qualifying

He's not playing anywhere near well enough to make the SFs anyway so it's largely irrelevant. Opening three rounds are better than most of the alternatives. QFs would be a good achievement in this form.

-- Edited by TMH on Monday 17th of March 2014 09:43:57 PM

Spectator · All-time great

I don't agree about the top 20 bit - gloomy, but not that gloomy! Nor do I think it impossible that he might suddenly "click" and get back into form. At a guess (said the non-player from a vantage point of pure ignorance) it's going to take a bit longer for a player who relies on movement, anticipation and touch to get back "into the swing" than it would someone whose forte was brute force. But that doesn't mean it couldn't happen quite suddenly when it does occur.

indiana · Tennis legend

I hope Andy does find better form soon.

But he's had such achievements over the last couple of years and given myself, and I am sure most of you, so much pleasure that in truth I find myself unable to get particularly upset about it, and even if he does ( as is quite likely ) indeed lose a hell of a lot of points in Miami.

Still, as I indicated, the sooner he gets his fitness, form, focus, mojo, whatever all back together, the better, and a good Wimbledon please !

BeefyDeedz · Pro player

A few years ago, I would probably be beside myself considering Andy's current situation. Admittedly, now, I look on with a much more empathetic eye and find it hard to be too disappointed. Although the nature of the Raonic loss did hurt more than it should've.

savva0122 · Intermediate Club Player

I agree with the above. I hoped Andy would bounce back a la Rafa but this was not to be. He'll get there or thereabouts eventually, but I think this end up being chalked down as a less successful year.

Given his successes over the last couple of years I don't feel too dejected, and if he never quite reaches those heights again, he'll still be a mighty fine player. The disappointment is also tempered by how well the other guys are doing and hopefully they'll continue to rise.