An article from The Times has compared the achievements of Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray and asks whether last year British optimists were delusional in thinking Murray would be in the race to contend with the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Were we simply being patriotically hopeful or was it a case of true delusion? Now it’s almost embarrassing to recall that little more than a year ago we British optimists were truly sincere when we wondered who would win the race to join Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in tennis’s very top echelon; Novak Djokovic or Andy Murray?
Why does he manage to keep things afloat when Murray repeatedly has to endure disappointments and subsequent criticism. Because he takes heed of advice from an extremely select band of confidantes, works diligently at his game and does not allow himself to get sidetracked into anger and disputes.
Most certainly neither young lion would have dreamt of releasing an autobiography entitled Hitting Back. They have far too much hitting forward to do in months and years to come and like most sensible players, maintain any life history is currently way too premature.

Fatman....Barry Fatman he's been on Andy's case forever. Comparing Andy to Nole at this stage is a bit like saying 'he's written an autobiography too early'

I think he is oversimplifying things.  Nole earned his spot and is obviously the better player, but you cannot underestimate how his seeding has helped him.  Yes, he deserves his seeding but you only have to look at the draws Federer gets to see how much of a joke getting to the latter stages of a GS can be.

Seriously, look at Fed's draw.  It is pathetic, yet he will be hailed once he inevitably reaches the final.  Who has he beaten to get there?  It actually irritates me how easy his path is.  It's as though the French want to dethrone Rafa by throwing tough matches his way and throwing tomato cans Fed's way.

Once Andy nails down a top 8 spot, expect results to improve dramatically, particularly on hard and grass.  It's also easy to underestimate the effects of Andy's injury.  He has only now started playing attacking tennis again.  We'll see how he does in the back end of the season and then we can judge.

Nadal, Volandri, Roddick.  It was only after his injury that he played way behind the baseline exclusively.

Clydey, I can't speak about individual draws, but normally Fed has to do far better at the end of tourneys then Andy ever has to, to maintain his ranking and number 1 seeding. You make out that its far easier for Djoko to do so well because of his easier draws - but remember he has to do far better at the end of tourneys to keep ahead. Seeding does not skew the rankings at all except when a player has suddenly lost form - then it'll take a little longer to fall down the rankings then it would without seedings - arguably that's the case with Fed right now.

But Clydey, regardless of how easy you think Nole has had it... he would still have this much of a gap between Murray because he is soooo much of a better player right now due to consistency. Hopefully that will change.

Oh, I know he is a better player.  The point I'm making is that it is that much harder for Andy to catch up until he nails down his place in the top 8.  That way he'll get a good seeding and will be matched with the top 4 in the quarters.

Christ, Yamor, read what I'm saying.  Yes, Djokovic is better but the seeding makes it harder for Andy to catch up.  The injury set Andy way back, not only in terms of his ranking but his form.  Once he is top 8, we will get a better idea of where Andy's game is at, particularly as he is playing attacking tennis now and will get matched with the top 4 in the quarters of tournaments.