Interesting. What, with Washington and now Munich, Andy seems to be deliberately adding prep tournaments before Masters double headers. So maybe seeking to get back some of that old Masters consstency. And, of course, he had Davis Cup prior to IW / Miami.
His Masters consistency in the last couple of years has been not getting past QFs !
I wonder if related to that Andy senses a window for real rankings progress.
In spite of at times rather variable form his game seems generally back up a few notches and Fed and Nadal haven't exactly made flying starts to the year.
Just today he has gone up to number two in running in this year's race thanks to Stan's early demise. Now in the past he has been fairly adamant that he's very much about Slams as opposed to ranking, but I just wonder now ... Found a new motivation ?
Djoko's a bit of a problem, but who knows what's round the corner.
It certainly looks like a concerted efforts to do well in the Masters- he's not defending too many points so a good opportunity to climb the rankings.
Surprised by Washington, although not in the context of Indy's comments; the clay 250 is well overdue; Andy still never won a tournament on clay maybe the thinking is to break that duck? Also wedding bells effectively ruled out Monte Carlo and barca.
He also seemed to enjoy his six weeks on at the end of last season; he said he had the hunger.
It'd be great to see a hungry Murray at these type of events again, particularly the Masters. Believe it when I see it though. This week would be a good start - should absolutely be making the semi-finals now.
in the past he has been fairly adamant that he's very much about Slams as opposed to ranking, but I just wonder now ... Found a new motivation ?
Andy doubtless seeing the value of cementing his place in the top 4 with the avoiding of the big beasts until strictly necessary that goes with it (top 2 better still! )
Maybe, too, chastened by the scratting around to get to the O2 last Autumn; exciting though it was for him and us that he had that great run it presumably took its toll and contributed to THAT dreaded score-line
Presumably Andy is not playing Valencia or Basel next week so will take a compulsory zero counter for not playing a post US Open ATP 500 assuming that rule still holds.*
Won't really effect him ranking pointswise just now, because he will be one short of 18 counters plus the WTF anyway, so a compulsory zero will not replace anything ( although he did take the Valencia title last year so drops down 500 points in that respect )
He will have the WTF, the 4 Slams, 8 Mandatory Masters, 3 ATP 500s ( Rotterdam, Dubai and Queen's ), ATP 250 Munich, the Davis Cup and a compulsory zero.
* Edit : Actually, I see that Valencia is just an ATP 250 this year, this week's ATP Vienna going the other way from 250 to 500.
-- Edited by indiana on Friday 23rd of October 2015 04:47:32 PM
The end of last season was a pragmatic attempt at O2 qualification, Similarly bar the pragmatic day to day bussiness of keeping the ATP happy and maintaining top 4 status I think his focus is a DC win which must rank alongside majors, and the Olympics on the wish list of the super elite players.
Realistically the Aussie open must be the next attainable accolade.
I like the Hopman cup as a warm up for the Aussie Open. It is guaranteed 3 singles and 3 doubles matches and Andy tends to do well at the Aussie Open after playing this event.
He isn't playing the Abu Dhabi exhibition this year which I can't say bothers me.
Also a fan of the Hopman cup, not only as a warm up but also what it stands for ie both sexes playing elite sport together as a team. I think it also helps to provide a bond between the UK men and women.
Andy is our best player in modern history, although I don't think he would claim to be perfect but it is excellent that as a role model to both sexes aspiring to play the game that he values it.