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

Spectator · All-time great

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

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Spectator wrote:
I was terribly anxious for Mr Murray to win a GS and Wimbledon because it was so clear that he wanted it and had dedicated his life to it ... and that failure to do so was hurting him. To see someone that capable, that hungry and under that much public pressure come close but not quite win was painful. It was great when he finally broke through. (And of course it's nice to have the "No Briton since the Dark Ages" thing gone, too!)

At present, he seems occasionally pretty frustrated, so I hope for his sake that things resolve themselves quickly. But my comment about being "gloomy" vis a vis his chances of a ranking rise were intended to convey my sense of the unlikelihood of a rankings rise, rather than a sense of general "disappointment" They certainly weren't intended to convey "disappointment in Mr Murray"; disappointment in someone feels like the kind of judgement we're just not capable of making from the outside at the best of times!

Hear hear!

I must admit my first reaction to the draw and seenig Mr Djokovic in the QF was 'ouch'. But having read through everyone's posts I feel much happier. Afterall, he's done 'it' ie won Wimby (Still makes me choke even writing that!). I'm not saying that I don't want him to get to World no 1 one day, but I am saying that even if he doesn't he's still done us proud, and as someone's said, we've got other players doing well right now and that takes out some of the sting.

Hope for Andy's sake he gets back into form though

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Spectator wrote:
I was terribly anxious for Mr Murray to win a GS and Wimbledon because it was so clear that he wanted it and had dedicated his life to it ... and that failure to do so was hurting him. To see someone that capable, that hungry and under that much public pressure come close but not quite win was painful. It was great when he finally broke through. (And of course it's nice to have the "No Briton since the Dark Ages" thing gone, too!)

At present, he seems occasionally pretty frustrated, so I hope for his sake that things resolve themselves quickly. But my comment about being "gloomy" vis a vis his chances of a ranking rise were intended to convey my sense of the unlikelihood of a rankings rise, rather than a sense of general "disappointment" They certainly weren't intended to convey "disappointment in Mr Murray"; disappointment in someone feels like the kind of judgement we're just not capable of making from the outside at the best of times!

I agree.

I think it's unfortunate (or very fortunate, depending on the way you look at it), that Andy's had his first 'major' injury set-back just at the end of his year of glory and brilliance. To manage to rekindle the same hunger and level of play now would maybe have been difficult whatever. An injury on top makes it even more complicated (and I doubt we know everything there is to know about the injury - Andy's camp are very discrete). We all talked about this at the start of the year when doing the predictions - there's an 'unknown' quantity about this year which there hasn't been before. (And it's not really like Rafa who's come back from injury several times and has form to show how he does it).

Do the Swiss feel 'disappointed' in Federer that he's 'only' hovering around the world number 5 ranking? I doubt it. And, like Spec, I couldn't possibly feel disappointed with Andy - maybe slightly disappointed 'for' him if he's not managing to do what he's set his mind to do. But no more than that.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Well you have all said it before I got here, so I'll just say I agree with you all!

indiana · Tennis legend

Glad I captured a mood here.

I just felt I had to say it after discussing how Andy's ranking points were likely to majorly drop, and it maybe appearing that I somehow thought this awful.

That was the statto in me, always interested in such things as significant ranking moves and all the moreso with the player I have most followed.

But it's a strange year. I remember posting at the start of the Aussie Open that for the first time I could recall in a Slam with Andy I couldn't really get worked up, excited, concerned, everything that I have felt so much when following Andy through the years.

My interest got aroused a bit as he showed at times rather good form, but was I on tenderhooks about the meeting with Fed ? - no. Devastated when he lost ? - no. A bit disappointed - yes ( but not with him ).

Maybe it's a kind of sabbatical year for Andy and us ( we deserve it ! ) and in time, allied to it maybe becoming more important to Andy again, we will be back anxious about all things Andy, particularly in Slams. But I suspect the emotions will never quite be the same again.

Madeline's cushions are probably as safe as they've ever been. They can just sit there being cushions !

Meantime, go Hev, Laura and these guys making real strides in the rankings. I am sure that I could in time cope with another great journey.

Jan · Hall of fame

Nicely put, Indy. Thanks

Armchair · County player

If Andy never won another match I'd be bitterly disappointed but I'd know he'd given his all to win his Slams & Olympic Golds - an outstanding record.

I'd obviously prefer to see Andy come out and win these matches, but I'm not descending into a trough of despair.

I think injury and surgery will take their toll, diminished motivation and loss of confidence also.

So lets give the guy a 'gap year' as Indy suggests, all wins gratefully received but losses don't need to be forensically examined.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

But no doubt they will be! Elsewhere if not on here.

Spectator · All-time great

I have a lovely mental picture of Madeline's cushions breathing a sigh of relief (all right, so I'm anthropomorphising a little here) .... thank you for that, Indy!

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

I have to admit they have been relatively safe recently. I used to be a nervous wreck in his matches just because I so much wanted him to do well. Way back in 2005 I said I thought he had the talent to win a slam (well if Thomas Johansson could, why not?) but was well ridiculed for my pains. Not on here, I hasten to add. So I pretty much relaxed by the time he had Olympic Gold and the USO. Though I confess they got another bashing during last year's Wimby, especially the Verdasco match. . .

steven · Tennis legend

L64: (6) Andy Murray WR 6 v Matt Ebden (AUS) WR 67 (CH 61 in 2012)

H2H 1-0, 3 & 2, Shanghai 2011 QFs

steven · Tennis legend

A dodgy 1st set then plain sailing:

L64: (6) Andy Murray WR 6 beat Matt Ebden (AUS) WR 67 (CH 61 in 2012) by 3-6 6-0 6-1

L32: (6) Andy Murray WR 6 v (32) Feliciano López (ESP) WR 34 (CH 15 in 2012)

H2H 8-0, including a 7-6(2) 6-4 6-2 win in R3 of this year's Aus Open

-- Edited by steven on Saturday 22nd of March 2014 03:42:47 AM

airsmashers · County player

Ebden played probably the best he could play in that 1st set

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Thank goodness for that.

I am hoping Andy's lacklustre performance in Indian Wells was at least partly because he knew he had to settle things with Ivan one way or the other. Even though the way it ended was not the way he wanted, at least the uncertainty is over and he can hopefully get his act together now.

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, I was thinking that. We just didn't know that the Ivan business was going on behind the scenes.

Pity, but seems neither's fault or any particular fall-out. Just unfortunately conflicting priorities. Just hope that Andy can find a good solution on the coaching front. An uncertain period lies ahead.