[Jameselaprendi]

Im here simply to predict that Murray will have a very strong clay court season.

Cant be sure of the results but I think we'll see him regain his energy and strength - and he should be on the crest of a wave by Wimbeldon.

I have my reasons for this belief - which i won't bother to explain. So lets see if im wrong.

[Sir Panda]

We'll see how he fares tomorrow, tough match for him.

[Aileen]

Im here simply to predict that Murray will have a very strong clay court season.

Cant be sure of the results but I think we'll see him regain his energy and strength - and he should be on the crest of a wave by Wimbeldon.

I have my reasons for this belief - which i won't bother to explain. So lets see if im wrong.

Thank you, and Mark, for your positivity.  Despite his recent slump, I too have reason to believe Andy will now bounce back.  Kohlschreiber will be a good test but Andy's confidence should have been helped by his doubles victory.

[Jameselaprendi]

Wey Hey! 

[janscribe]

Im here simply to predict that Murray will have a very strong clay court season.

Cant be sure of the results but I think we'll see him regain his energy and strength - and he should be on the crest of a wave by Wimbeldon.

I have my reasons for this belief - which .i won't bother to explain. So lets see if im wrong.

James, I am one of those people who needs to know the reasons for belief and I want to believe your statement very much. Please explain - it is important. I too desperatrely want to be positive - HELP!

[Mark]

I just thought that the change of surface was a chance wipe the mental slate clean. It was perhaps the opportunity to unload the baggage and put everything, from the AO final onwards, behind him. I also think the challenge of playing well on clay tends to stimulate Murray, so I thought that might help re-invigorate him as well.

This was basically my reasoning as well, including my intuition which turned out wrong.

[Clydey]

I had hoped the same thing, but on yesterday's performance I'd be surprised if there's much improvement.
Are you Scottish?  With respect, whilst I agree with you that there is an element of this in the Scottish psyche, if you are to be believed, then no Scot, sporting or otherwise, would ever have achieved anything.  There are Scotsmen and women who have reached the pinnacle of their sporting careers - Sir Chris Hoy, Alan Wells, Liz McColgan, Ian Black, David Wilkie, Ken Buchanan (all Olympic medalists), Sir Jackie Stewart, Jim Clark (sadly killed in his prime) - and these are just the ones who immediately spring to mind.  Also how does this "excruciatingly frustrating sabotaging type" apply to the long list of Scottish inventors, medical researchers, financiers, etc., whose hard work gained them world renown?
That perennial nearly-man, Tim Henman, a very talented player who lacked that essential something necessary to take him to the top?  So far Andy has achieved more at 22 than Tim did in his entire career, which is encouraging.

I believe that Andy is going through a slump which a lot of sports personalities, for whatever reason, go through at some point in their careers, but I also believe that he possesses a good amount of stubborn Scottish pride (maybe a bit too stubborn at times) which will ultimately see him through.  As for Wimbledon - perhaps if his slump is still evident by then, and I can't see him successfully defending his title at Queens with his present form, especially as this year there will be a much stronger field of competition, then perhaps the pressure cooker of expectation might cool off, which could be to his benefit, although I don't expect the press treatment will be pretty.

  Sorry for sounding off, but this sort of stereotypical generalisation really gets to me.

It gets to me too. There's a lot of ignorance with regards to the contributions Scottish people have made to the world.

[Jameselaprendi]

Aileen

As you agreed, there is an element of what im talking about in the Scottish Psyche, and its from the same source as your perhaps overly defensive response. We'll call it small nation with a big ugly brother syndrome - and im sure everyone will know what I mean!

Of course its generalising and there are many strengths to the scottish psyche as well, our achievers tend to be especially talented and display a lot of guile - e.g. Andy Murray! I am a proud SNP supporting Scot and Im forever preaching our record of achievement and contributers from William Wallace to Stepehen Hendry - my girlfriend is sick of it!

But for all those mentioned there are hundrdeds who stood on the brow of the summit of ultimate success but never ascended - Colin Montgomerie, David Coulthard and every Scottish National Team (in ANY team sport!) are the ones ive especially endured.

Whether or not its prevelant in Murray's situation I dont know but there are some recognisable traits. He is also surrounded by a recognisable media and would be fans. Youll find as many mocking and jeering him as those who are willing to get behind him. This especially mirrors my experiences with the footballl team and you won't convince me the negativity doesnt hold them back. It holds the country back imo.

Its all about what level of success Murray will achieve and its very exciting. Aside from Chris Hoy and Stephen Hendry im not sure theres been another Scot in my lifetime with as much potential for sporting greatness - but the lines are thin and theres a small risk he wont fully recover from this slump - and I need to understand that so I can manage my fragile expectations. They were damaged pretty badly by the bombshell of realisation that Scotland will never win the world cup.