Why is Andy Murray still some distance off from a tennis major?
The 30th January 2011 was yet another day when British hopes rested on one talented youngster, who fell at the final hurdle to the disappointment of the nation. Andy Murray is undoubtedly exceptionally talented, possessing one of the best returns in the men’s game and the ability to pull off that little bit of magic. It seems too many, that it is not a matter of if Murray will win a Grand Slam, but when. However, why has this immensely talented Scot failed to yet win a Grand Slam; is it because of his known fiery attitude, his fitness, or just bad luck on the biggest stage of them all?
In two of Murray’s Grand Slam final failures he has come up against arguably the best player of all time, Roger Federer. Federer’s limitless talent has seen him win countless Grand Slams, and so for Murray to face the best of the best in two of his three Grand Slam finals is more misfortune than talent. However, Murray has defeated Federer eight out of their thirteen meetings – a statistic that most other pros can only dream of achieving. As well as having the odds over Federer, Murray’s best play has been on the surfaces of the hard courts of the US and Australia. But why does he keep on losing to a player he has consistently defeated on his favourite surface? As well as misfortune, another possibility is that Murray is choking at the final moment; not backing his ability the whole way – a fault which will hopefully leave Murray as he grows in both experience and ability.
Murray’s attitude and competitiveness are not questions that needed answering. His win against Richard Gasquet in the 2008 Wimbledon Finals was just a glimpse of his power to win from the most gut wrenching of situations. However, is Murray’s lack of consistency and mindset which allows him to fall into these situations, a cause for concern? Although Murray has been gaining more convincing victories as his career moves forward, there are still occasions where he lapses in concentration, allowing his opponent an opportunity back into their match. A prime example being Murray’s recent matches against Alexandra Dolgopolov where the unorthodox lower seed was allowed to take a set off the world number five.
Murray’s increased fitness has definitely improved his game over the last 18 months. Although, is his fitness up to the standard of Djokovic, Nadal and Federer? I doubt it. The top three regularly have gruelling matches, but their fitness enables them to win and remain relatively tireless. One should not forget that Murray is still a world class player, but he has to share the court with at least two of the best players in Nadal and Federer. And although Murray may lack fitness compared to his fellow top professionals, it may be his relative inexperience in the Grand Slam arena that has prevented him from overcoming his Grand Slam search to date. It seems to me that it is only a matter of time until the Scot takes his first Grand Slam crown.
