Andy: Hi Ivan. Thanks for getting back to me two days ago.
Ivan: no problem. I have been sorting things out at this end to free up the 20 weeks we discussed earlier at RG. I heard you sold your Miami apartment recently ?
Andy: yes I did. But no worry. I have another place there.
https://www.sundaypost.com/in10/chat/andy-murray-is-selling-his-florida-apartment-for-2-million/So how are things going in the States ? How is your academy doing ?
Ivan: It is ok. My international Junior Tennis academy discontinued operations last year but that is not a problem. It gives me time to focus on other things, like my golf.
http://www.thestate.com/sports/article13934609.htmlAndy: so how is your golf Ivan ? How is your handicap now ?
Ivan: not bad. Still around 0 but I can't spend as much time as I like on it. The two hip ops have prevented me from playing too much lately. Also I have been busy supporting my daughters' golf as well as designing my new golf course.
http://www.golftoday.co.uk/news/yeartodate/news00/lendl.htmlAnyway. Enough about me. How is Sophia Olivia doing ? Is she keeping you awake at night ?
Andy: She is doing great and growing well. I love holding her in my arms. I have been sleeping like a baby but Kim has been kept busy with feeding.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/tennis/andy-murray-says-sleeping-like-7480467Ivan: good. Good. Let's talk about RG. So how you think it went ?
Andy: it sucked to lose again in the final but it actually went better than I thought after almost being knocked out in the first two rounds.
Ivan: How do you think you performed in the final ?
Andy: I started off quite well winning the first set. Then Novak started to gain confidence at the same time as me starting to tire and then things went downhill from there. I was so frustrated because I believed I could have won had I been fully refreshed as I was in Rome. I believe I can match his level when I am at my best physically and mentally. And that spider cam, Argh. And those crowds. Oh my God.
Ivan: Where do you think you did well against Novak Andy ?
Andy: When I was serving big first serves followed by strong FH into the other corner, I was able to win points quickly on my serve and saved myself energy to break Novak's serve. But I grew tired and couldn't push up on my legs in subsequent sets. Novak ground strokes then continuously pushed me back on my second serves and his accurate strokes pinned me back behind the baseline. That was not good.
Ivan: Ok. We will work on those first serves and getting the percentages up as well as those precise wide angle shots to get Novak out of position and wrong footing strokes. How about your FH ? We got them raised from 119 kmph to 126 kmph. What is it now ?
Andy: umm... I can maintain a decent consistency around 121 kmph . It is good enough when backed with a strong first serve like in Rome and on a fast surface like grass but on the slow damp clay at RG, it was tough to beat Novak. I changed the racket tension to increase the power but it wasn't enough when I was tired.
Ivan: alright. We will work on upping the FH speed a bit but also on accuracy. How do you feel your baseline play compares against Novak ?
Andy: oh man. Novak is like a Duracell bunny. Don't know what he is on but the guy can seemingly go on forever. It is really tough to outlast him on a point as he is so elastic and can reach seemingly lost causes. It can be done for 2-3 tough sets when I am fully fit but impossible to do for 5 sets once he has worn me down.
Ivan: you know he has been using that egg don't you. Have you given the CVAC a try ?
Andy: I tried it but decided it wasn't for me.
http://www.outsideonline.com/1930416/secret-science-novak-djokovics-training-podIvan: alright. In that case, we need to shorten points. We will need to revisit transitional and net play. What else do you think affected play ?
Andy: yeah that would be useful. The crowd was awful though. They were whistling when I started to serve and really disturbed my concentration.
Ivan: Hmmm.... In that case, we need to get the crowd on your side this time.
Andy: yeah. That would be great. I still have goosebumps when I recall the support I had playing in the Olympic matches. That felt so wonderful.
Ivan: Sure. Have you checked out your fan sites ?
Andy: yeah. Last time I had a look at murraysworld, Messenger was really giving me a big boogering after I got the run about by Novak once my energy level dipped after the first set. He really ripped into me although I think he understood in his final write up I was tired. Oh, all those long 5 setters as well as the emotionally draining SF vs Stan really cost me. It is true I lost focus a few times during the earlier rounds and that cost me I think in the final.
Ivan: I see. We will work on closing out matches quicker. I have a few good tips there.
Is there any ardent supporter on that fan site ?
Andy: yeah. Leaves. She is really good with facts and figures and she seems to care deeply.
Ivan: ok. Ask your team to send her an invitation to one of our training session then ask her to spread the message of support among the twigs so everyone is aware we are taking this seriously and can deal with Novak this time round. Get a few others too to spread the message, like Mark, and Big Mouth.
Andy: you mean Big Nose ?
Ivan: yeah. And Robbie too. That guy has a wicked sense of humour.
Andy: ok. Will do. Right. Shall we start training now ?
Ivan: Let's do it !
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