Pretty pants really, but I kind of can't get distressed about it. He has done so much, including of course Davis Cup last year. I reckon that he'll refocus again for what is a big summer. For now, he's not really focussed.
Over and out ...
-- Edited by indiana on Monday 28th of March 2016 10:39:25 PM
Is it Sophia or is he not focussed on these events ? That is the question. In another sport Ryan Hall is having a shocking season as he's having to get up in the middle of the night because of his 1st child, so I wouldn't be shocked if Andy is doing something similar. Clearly June - August are the big 3 months of the season this year so maybe he is reserving all his energy for that part of the season.
I really feel for him. It's difficult because he's achieved so much, including GSs, the Olympics and now Davis Cup. To win more GSs he'd have to beat Djokovic and that seems always a bit out of his reach atm. Not saying it will always be that way but I do think there's a lot of pressure on him being the challenger to Djokovic when Nadal, Federer and even Wawrinka seem to have fallen away a bit. I just wonder whether he's temporarily lost his drive with the baby as well. I'm still a massive fan and think that the build up to Wimbledon will give him a new appetite. Think he loves playing home matches. The US is probably not great for him in some ways. There are so many distractions. Everyone in the crowd seems to think nothing of getting up and wandering around mid-rally. I know that's the same for all players but it seems to bother Andy the most. But for all that he's done for British tennis, and for the great support he provides to up and coming players, I'd love him to win at least one more Slam.
He did seem to be in a weird frame of mind, almost mocking the umpire, the reaction to the way the match was going and so on. Maybe it was the conditions.....I understand a thunderstorm was imminent and it was probably very oppressive. I also noticed Kim was in his box again......is junior with him for the first time on tour or are they both away from her for the first time. Also Amelie M was sitting separately in the crowd and not in his players box which is not as usual. Anyway, played well in those parts of the match where he was focussed, but unfortunately, for whatever reason, long stretches when completely unfocussed on the task at hand.
edit: autocorrect made one sentence say the complete opposite of what was intended!
-- Edited by The Optimist on Tuesday 29th of March 2016 10:00:10 AM
Was I just seeing things or was Mauresmo crying towards the end of the 3rd set when Murray was shouting up at his box/the stand? Admittedly I was watching on an iphone so my eyes might have been deceiving me. What a shocker he had in the last game, 3 routine shots, 3 unforced errors. Body language saying he wanted to get in the locker room.
What I can't understand is why Andy let a bad call upset him for four games in the second set when he went 4-0 down he had no concentration at that point Djoko would never get himself in a tizz like that
At the end of the day I think Andy is having to adjust to his new personal circumstances. Given he's been absolutely devoted to the game, and this being the main reason he's managed to stay with the Novaks and Rogers, it's going to take him some time to find the correct balance. I suspect he may have some inconsistencies over the next few months, pity he's defending so many points over the clay court season, and will start to build up again towards the end of the year- think the US open will be his best slam.
To be honest I think there is a certain amount of understandable overreaction to this result, not so much on here as in the media. To put it in perspective Andy lost at Indian Wells which is a tournament he has never enjoyed and frequently exited early and then lost here to Dimitrov who is hugely underranked at the moment. I do expect Andy to do well over the clay season now that he has improved that side of his game and he will be as competitive as ever at the slams, poor old Sophie is getting far too much blame for results that probably would have happened anyway.
Except what I saw was much more about Andy playing well below his normal level than Dimitrov back playing near his best.
I do agree that Andy is not getting a bad reaction on this board ( and I have missed any media overreaction ), more understanding, and I'm a huge Andy supporter and not really concerned. But just saying he is not playing well and these are not I think displays and results near par.
-- Edited by indiana on Tuesday 29th of March 2016 10:07:33 PM