[Mark]

Yeah, it's true that Murray losing his coach was a huge problem for him. So I guess this year we will see what he really can do on clay

Although I don't see anyone a threat to Nadal for the title.

[nads]

As for Djoko having the last laugh: I'd say, he's having the first laugh. The rivalry between Andy, Novak and Richard is just only starting, we'll only know in years to come who had the best and the last laugh...

So I guess this year we will see what he really can do on clay

Very true and bring it on is all I can say! 

im afraid that some of his weaknesses are become chronic. We talk about his inconsistent serve and his fluxuating physical condition and say that he will iron those things out and then he'll be amazing. Can he really iron them out or are they just natural weaknesses?

What's becoming cronic? His physical condition (as in conditioning, not injury) has been excellent since the winter. The serve has been improving since working with Brad, and although it wasn't all it needed to be in January yet, he has been having 70+% matches, so that's on the way, but still improving. The injuries, well that can happen to any professional sportsman, especially when still growing, which he is, hopefully now getting to the bulking up stages, which should also pad some of his joints a litte... I can't say I've seen him go backwards, and his ranking would confirm that, so we can't talk about 'cronic'...

[Margaret Robb]

For the first time I have to take some of Fuzzyballs points seriously. I still dont take him seriously because he has a bit of an agenda which I dont think can be healthy, but unfortunately, a lot of what he says on this thread rings true.

Murray had as much chance as Djokovic this past month to make a mark on the tennis world that we've all been predicting, and im afraid that some of his weaknesses are become chronic. We talk about his inconsistent serve and his fluxuating physical condition and say that he will iron those things out and then he'll be amazing. Can he really iron them out or are they just natural weaknesses?

Of course Murray hasnt progressed to the height of his potential or anywhere near it, but I think we cant deny the negative signs we are seeing, just as we are quick to praise all the postive ones. Thats something Fuzzyballs has to remember as well - there are a lot of positives for Murray as well, and theres just is no questioning his talent. Unfortunately, Djokovic has well and trully stolen his thunder. Novak's game, and the potential he has shown, have progressed to a place where we'd love Murray to be. I think a lot of us thought Murray was already in that place actually, and capable of achieving what Nole did this month. I read both Canas and Nole himself talk about Djokovic becoming 'one of the best three players in the world' and 'future number 1'. Nobody here can deny we were putting Murray on that pedastool recently.

Ive said before that I just didnt buy the fact that Murray was going to become an all conquering tennis superstar, and that I was actually kind of okay with that. I think he's going to have his highs and lows, and they are going to be extremely jagged highs and lows. I think he can reach the very top of the game and I really hope that he will be able to find the level required to win Major events, which Im sure he will do in extremely entertaining fashion. I do believe he's one of only a group of players who is capable of producing a level of performance that can destory anyone and leave you mesmorised.

His highs will be all the sweeter for his lows.

Another interesting thing is how Djokovic and Murray talk about themselves. Murray does praise himself but he's quick to cool the hype that has surrounded him during different stages of his career. He says he's working to get to the top, and that his ambitions were just to get to the next level, top 100 then top 50, top 20 etc. Djokovic on the other hand came out from the start and said he wanted to be world number 1, i.e. the best, but he however didnt have the 'pressure' of so much hype to deal with, tennis isnt so big in serbia 

Now that Murray is established, id love him to come out and tell the world that he wants to be the best, and win grand slams. I know he has said that, what tennis player wouldnt want that, but id love him to give a real statement of intent. I really respect Djokovic for doing it, even if i believe it was easier for him, but im not a Djokovic fan and it doesnt make me overly happy to see him do and acheive what I want my guy to do.

Hopefully Murray is still just a little bit behind guys like Nadal and Djokovic, and he is indeed still ironing out his flaws.

Andy's a Tennis player not a politician and we've all heard their "statements of intent"Believe what they tell you you'd believe anything.have you thought Different nationalities I was always told self praise is no recommendation.

[Confluentia]

I cannot see why Andy should make a "statement of intent" he wants to be no. 1 in the world. It's not the words that count, it's the deeds. So he's right to take it one step at a time and if he's good enough to be no. 1 he will get there eventually. There's no use to put himself under even more pressure. I think he's achieved great things so far considering he's been on the tour for merely two years! Remember he's still only 19. He'll make the top 10 in the next couple of weeks for sure and I'm positive he's going to stay there for a long time. He's won 23 matches so far this year, a number that last year he hadn't reached until August. So just keep going Andy, you'll get to the top 5 eventually because that's where you belong!

[Margaret Robb]

Yes he had to have medical help 2005 USopen in match against Monfils fifth set tie break with a ridiculous scoreline on an outside court Monfils was not too impressed,then last Autumn when playing against Switzerland in the Davis Cup,Federer was criticising him afterwards,and he retired at the end of an indoor ATPmatch when he was winning and allowed Warwinka to win very strange.More to that young man than meets the eye methinks.Then his Mother made overtures to the LTA last April,although that died a death had the press getting all excited.Think it was to do with the politics of Serbia&Montegnegro

[Glasgowboy]

Fuzzy is absolutely right about Murray's fragility - it's not so much the number of different matches that he's had a physical problem in, it's the fact there have been several totally separate problems. This is something that will have to be addressed before he can progress much further. Certainly, if you compare him to Djokovic, or Nadal or (looking back) Becker at the same age he remains decidedly weedy.

Where I disagree with Fuzzy is his ascertion that this is the end of the story. Murray is physically less mature than the 3 players above but people mature at different ages and at different rates - how many people look like Becker at 17??? Federer sure as hell didn't. Djokovic has been a pro for far longer than Murray. Is this because he was a better player? No, it was because he was fortunate enough to have a body which reached full adulthood at an earlier age. The point is, if Murray trains smart and bides his time he will get stronger and more solid. Again though, I agree with Fuzzy that he needs to protect himself better than he does. It's pretty difficult at 19 not to go for that ball when the adrenaline is pumping, but that's another type of maturity altogether.

very good and very true post...we too impatient aint we all 

[Mark]

I also agree that a "statement of intent" is unnecessary and also might be a bad idea.

Murray is not afraid to tell us his ambitions... he wants to be no1. But Djokovic takes it one step further and publicly believes he will be no1. That can be seen as arrogant and Murray unfortunately already has that image by many.