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[teejay1]

I've never found Andy as an ungracious loser but he does hate losing. I don't think he takes it personally (blames the other player) but rather he thinks he shouldn't have lost the match.

That's exactly what I was trying to say. Andy doesn't like losing at all, none of them do, but I think he hates it if he loses because of not playing well.

[BigNose]

Bad loser? Where did this come from? Andy doesn't exactly start panning someone's head in just because he beat him. That would be my definition of a bad loser. He does the necessary. Shake hands with his opponent, then the umpire, then leaves the court ASAP. And he's usually very gracious in the post-match interviews.

[BigNose]

Now that is a sentiment I agree with wholeheartedly, and one I try to live my life by. I'm sure it applies to Andy. We've witnessed the tough times with him, but I think we've all seen, and are seeing, his strength of character in picking himself up and getting better. I'm full of admiration for him.

OK calm down. We're talking about someone playing tennis for a living here, not going into a battle. He's a young man and all young men take knocks whatever they are doing. Most get back on the horse, not just Andy. Does a guy who works in say an office for 9 hours a day try less hard than Andy who lets face it has a dream job/lifestyle.

[Elly]

Glasgow Uni somehow gave me a degree in Psychology - given my lack of effort, I've lost all respect for the place!

However, whilst studying that, I kinda came to the conclusion that it's psychologically healthier to blame others and feel "cheated" after losing than it is to internalise it all. If you can mix hard work and understanding where you need to improve with an ability to shake off losses as "someone else's fault", it's probably the best mix.

I reckon the top players do that to some extent. I think Brad Gilbert tried to introduce this with Andy all those years ago, and we've seen how difficult he's found it to recover from big losses in the past as compared to Djokovic, Nadal or Federer (the only players he can be judged against in terms of talent). I think Andy has learned how to handle it all better now, hence his reaction after Wimbledon, and I wouldn't be surprised if part of that is to deflect some of the blame.

It's always easier to blame others.  I think the 'manning up' is taking responsibility for yourself.  I think Andy is getting to that place now. 

[TheMadHatter]

No-one has called Andy a bad loser - why do people keep on arguing a case no-one has brought up?

[Sabine]

No-one has called Andy a bad loser - why do people keep on arguing a case no-one has brought up?

Um, I did

[teejay1]

OK calm down. We're talking about someone playing tennis for a living here, not going into a battle. He's a young man and all young men take knocks whatever they are doing. Most get back on the horse, not just Andy. Does a guy who works in say an office for 9 hours a day try less hard than Andy who lets face it has a dream job/lifestyle.

Oh do give it a rest BN. It's called having an opinion and being free to express it.

[Moozza]

Andy can win a clay tournament for sure. Maybe RG, I would not rule it out personally. His forehand has improved so much and that could make a huge difference. I get the impression he is very focused on doing well on clay this year.