Andy Murray "happy, proud and relieved" after achieving Grand Slam dream

Posted on September 11, 2012 by adminsports

Murray 'happy, proud and relieved' after achieving Grand Slam dream

By
Sportsmail Reporter

PUBLISHED:

05:45 GMT, 11 September 2012

UPDATED:

06:40 GMT, 11 September 2012

There was one word that summed up for Andy Murray the realisation of a dream that he feared may never come – relief.

The Scot defeated defending champion Novak Djokovic 7-6 (12/10) 7-5 2-6 3-6 6-2 in the US Open final to finally win his first Grand Slam title at the fifth time of asking.

Epic: Murray sealed his glory with a kiss after a match which fell a minute short of the longest ever US Open final

TWITTER TRIBUTES

Graeme Swann ‏@Swannyg66
Well done Andy Murray. Well done indeed. I hope you go and get plastered with Fergie and James Bond to celebrate.

victoria azarenka ‏@vika7
well done Andy! really happy for u! well done to all ur team as well

Patrick McEnroe ‏@PatrickMcEnroe
Thank you @andy_murray and @djokernole The sport of tennis wins…..again.

Calvin Harris ‏@CalvinHarris
This guy: RT @superdavee95 “@CalvinHarris: ANDY MURRAY YOU ABSOLUTE SCOTTISH HERO #SCOTTISH #TENNIS #LEGEND”

Irvine Welsh ‏@WelshIrvine
Dunblane was known internationally for a terrible, horrible thing. Thanks to Andy Murray it's now known for something wonderful and amazing.

David Gold ‏@DavidGoldWHU
Well done Andy Murray Determination Perseverance and Courage a very British trait.

Andre Agassi ‏@AndreAgassi
Well deserved…Congratulations to the #USOPEN Champion Andy Murray!!!

Russell Crowe ‏@russellcrowe
Andy Murray on a roll. You champion.

Luke Donald ‏@LukeDonald
Great tennis Andy Murray, thoroughly deserved, another glorious moment in British sport this year.

Jimmy Carr ‏@jimmycarr
Andy Murray has just made me cry. The man is a God. I'm so happy.

Dara O Briain ‏@daraobriain
So happy for Andy Murray. Hope he wins many, many more…

It was somehow fitting that the match was a rollercoaster, mirroring the journey Murray has taken to get here, as at once stage he looked poised to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

The 25-year-old said: 'It was an incredibly tough match and obviously it felt great at the end. Relief is probably the best word I would use to describe how I'm feeling just now.

'I'm very, very happy that I managed to come through because if I had lost this one from two sets up, that would have been a tough one to take.

'I was still doubting myself right up to a few minutes before going on to play the match. It's something I have never done before. I have been in this position many times and not managed to get through.

'I am just so relieved to finally have got there and I can put this one behind me and hopefully win more.

'I think just proving to myself is
probably the most pleasing part about tonight, because there were times
when I didn't know if I was going to be able to do it.'

It
was a match that really had everything. In windy conditions, Murray was
twice a break up in the opening set before finally clinching it on his
sixth set point.

He then
let a 4-0 lead slip away in the second but still came out on top to move
to within one set of victory against a man who had not lost a Grand
Slam match on a hard court for two years.

But Djokovic was not about to give up his crown without a fight and, as
Murray got nervous, the Serb upped his game, drawing level and carrying
the momentum into the fifth set.

The start of the decider was crucial
and a little surprisingly it was Djokovic who faltered, trailing 3-0 and
then giving away another break to leave Murray one game away.

The Serb was struggling physically, understandably after almost five
hours, and he was booed by the raucous crowd as he took a medical
timeout.

Done it: Murray lifts the trophy

Done it: Murray lifts the trophy after epic final

Epic: Murray sealed his glory with a kiss after a match which fell a minute short of the longest ever US Open fina

But Murray did not waver, setting up three match points and taking the second when Djokovic fired a make-or-break return long.

The victory came nine weeks after Murray cried on Centre Court following his loss to Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final and four weeks after he gained revenge over the world number one on the same court to win Olympic gold.

Murray became the first man to win both the Olympic singles title and the US Open in the same year, and he did not allow thoughts of his previous disappointments to creep in even when the third and fourth sets had slipped away.

Epic: The rallies between the two players were staggering as they went toe-to-toe

He said: 'I went to the toilet after the fourth set and just had a think and said, “It's just one more set. Give everything. You don't want to come off this court with any regrets. Don't get too down on yourself. Just try and fight”.

'I got a bit fortunate to get the break at the beginning of the set, and that helped.'

While Murray tried to take in his achievement, his friends and family and the team he has worked with for most of his professional career cried and hugged each other.

It famously takes a lot to make the Scot smile in public, and even winning a first grand slam title did not have him beaming from ear to ear, for which he jokingly blamed coach Ivan Lendl, nicknamed Stoneface during his playing days for his lack of emotion.

Murray said: 'I think everyone is just in a little bit of shock that it's happened. I've seen my mum after I have lost in slam finals and stuff, and she's been really upset.

Fighter: Djokovic battled back from two sets down and contributed hugely to a brilliant final

'Everyone is really, really happy, I think we're sort of learning from Lendl a little bit.

'I saw all of the guys in the locker room afterwards and I saw him. He just said, “I'm proud of you, well done.” We had a hug. Then someone sprayed champagne all down my back and over him. That kind of ended that. He started swearing.'

Murray hired Lendl at the end of last year in the hope it would give him that extra edge to turn him into a grand slam champion, and he joined the 52-year-old in winning a slam title at the fifth attempt.

There have been technical improvements, most noticeably his forehand and second serve, but the main difference has been the mental steel and belief that Lendl appears to have instilled in his charge.

'I have enjoyed working with him,' said Murray. 'I have listened to him a lot. He's definitely, definitely helped. Having him in your corner for any player would be a big bonus.

Heaven sent: Murray was must Brit since Fred Perry to win Grand Slam title

'Not many guys who have won as much as he did want to go into coaching or want to be around tennis.

'I'm sure it gave a little boost to his ego tonight that I won. It's been great so far and I hope we can keep working well together.'

As well as ending a long personal wait, Murray's triumph also finally put to bed the 76-year reign of Fred Perry as Britain's last male grand slam singles champion.

By coincidence, or perhaps fate, it was 79 years to the day since Perry won the first of his titles, at the US Open, in a match where the third seed beat the second seed.

Barely a press conference has gone by when Murray was not asked about carrying the weight of history, and he was happy to finally be rid of 'that stupid question'.

He did admit, though, that it had entered his head on court, saying: 'When you're on the court, you don't necessarily feel it, but I know when I was serving for the match, there's a sense of how big a moment that is in British tennis history.

'So that obviously adds to it. I have been asked about it many times when I got close to winning grand slams before. I got asked about it more and more even after I won the Olympics.

'So it's great to have finally done it, and I hope now it inspires some kids to play tennis and also takes away the notion that British tennis players choke or don't win or it's not a good sport.'

He added of Perry, who died in 1995: 'I'm sure he's smiling from up there that someone has finally managed to do it from Britain. I hope I can see another British player in my lifetime win a grand slam.'

US Open 2012: Roger Federer goes past John McEnroe"s No 1 record

Posted on August 28, 2012 by adminsports

Bites from the Big Apple: Federer moves past McEnroe's No 1 record

UPDATED:

22:13 GMT, 27 August 2012

Roger Federer

It's been an incredible season for the Swiss superstar. He was going into Monday night’s first round against American Donald Young with yet another new record to his name. This is the sixth time the 31-year-old has been seeded No 1 at the US Open, beating John McEnroe’s previous figure of five.

Top man: Roger Federer is the No 1 seed for the US Open

Lukas Rosol

The Czech who, as world No 100, beat Spaniard Rafael Nadal in a second round five-setter at Wimbledon this year, will not be repeating those heroics. He fell 6-3, 6-3 to young Argentinian challenger Guido Pella in the qualifying event. The 27-year-old only has the doubles to look forward to here.

Crashing out: Lukas Rosol, who beat Rafa Nadal at Wimbledon, was knocked out in the qualifying round in New York

Sam Stosur

The defending US Open champion came in alarmingly short of form following another poor grass season — she lost 6-2, 0-6, 6-4 to Arantxa Rus in the second round at Wimbledon. But she had no problems seeing off Petra Martic of Croatia, hammering her 6-1, 6-1 in 51 minutes to become the first winner of the 2012 event.

Looking good: Defending champion Sam Stosur looks more at home on the hard court than she did on grass

Roger Federer sets new record for weeks as world number one

Posted on July 16, 2012 by adminsports

Federer surpasses 'hero' Sampras and sets new record for weeks as world No 1

UPDATED:

09:48 GMT, 16 July 2012

Roger Federer has broken the record for the most weeks at No 1 in the ATP world rankings.

The Swiss ace returned to top spot for the first time since the 2010 French Open after winning Wimbledon last week and, as of Monday, he now boasts 287 weeks in the position, moving one clear of Pete Sampras' previous-best mark.

The 30-year-old Federer, whose success at Wimbledon was his 17th grand slam title and saw him move level with Sampras and William Renshaw as record seven-time winners at the All England club, said: 'It is really an amazing feeling for me to have regained the No 1 ranking on the ATP World Tour.

The greatest: Roger Federer (left) beat Andy Murray in last week's Wimbledon final

The greatest: Roger Federer beat Andy Murray in last week's Wimbledon final

World rankings

1. Roger Federer, Switzerland, 11,075 points.
2. Novak Djokovic, Serbia, 11,000.
3. Rafael Nadal, Spain, 8,905.
4. Andy Murray, Britain, 7,460.
5. David Ferrer, Spain, 5,455.
6. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, France, 5,230.
7. Tomas Berdych, Czech Republic, 4,515.
8. Janko Tipsarevic, Serbia, 3,320.
9. Juan Martin del Potro, Argentina, 3,180.
10. Nicolas Almagro, Spain, 2,665.

Most weeks at No 1

Roger Federer – 287.
Pete Sampras – 286.
Ivan Lendl – 270.
Jimmy Connors – 268.
John McEnroe – 170.

'I had set a goal with my team to try and get back to the top of the rankings, but I never thought with the depth in the game this year that I would have been able to get it back so quickly.

'I am extremely proud and honoured to have beaten Pete's record as he was my childhood hero and I have always looked up to him.'

Sampras told the ATP's official website: 'Great effort. The hardest thing to do in sports is the ability to stay on top. Roger has been able to do so by great play and durability.'

Federer is now guaranteed to keep the No 1 spot through the Olympics.

The master: Federer now has seven Wimbledon title to his name

Michael Owen changes agent ahead of final move: Charles Sale

Posted on June 28, 2012 by adminsports

All change as Owen plots his final move

UPDATED:

23:32 GMT, 27 June 2012

Michael Owen, whose Manchester United contract ends on Saturday, has switched to a new agent for the final move of his playing career.

Owen, who was managed by sports agency giants Wasserman Media Group, is now being looked after by ex-Umbro executive Simon Marsh, who has been a close friend of the former England striker since he signed for the brand as a 15-year-old.

Marsh, who parted company with Umbro after the Nike takeover, is setting up his own football agency and Owen is the first client. He was in Dubai on Owen’s behalf last week discussing the mooted move to Al Shabab, who had been competing with Stoke for his signature.

Making a change: Michael Owen has a new agent

WMG, who compiled the famous 32-page brochure to help sell Owen before he left Newcastle to join United in 2009, will continue to work with the 32-year-old on his existing contracts with Umbro and watchmakers Tissot.

But although Owen has enjoyed a long and profitable relationship with WMG, his loyalty to Marsh is the bigger pull.

Mac calls up Tim for sitting on the fence

BBC pundit John McEnroe has made reference to his colleague Tim Henman’s conflict of interests after he stayed on the fence in the fall-out from David Nalbandian’s Queen’s disqualification.

Duel role: John McEnroe mocked Tim Henman for his role at the All England Club and BBC

McEnroe said in jest that anyone might think Henman was a member of the All England Club’s committee of management — a dual role that somehow doesn’t bother the BBC even if his first priority is to stand up for the AEC.

Hodgson's links spread far and wide

The most unlikely link between Wimbledon and Euro 2012 is that tennis powerbroker Stuart Smith, past president of the Lawn Tennis Association, played in the same school football team at John Ruskin College in Croydon as England manager Roy Hodgson and Steve Kember, the former Chelsea and Crystal Palace forward.

School links: Roy Hodgson was at school with tennis power broker Stuart Smith

And one of few books in the games room of England’s Krakow hotel was Rafa Nadal’s autobiography.

Garcia won't stick the boot into McIlroy

Golfer Sergio Garcia, who came to Wimbledon dressed for tennis with a racket in hand, is best placed to have an opinion on Ryder Cup colleague Rory McIlroy’s drastic loss of form since starting a relationship with Caroline Wozniacki, who suffered a shock exit on Wednesday.

Garcia, who went out with former Wimbledon champion Martina Hingis, says: ‘All golfers have highs and lows in their careers whatever is happening in their private life — and it’s great if the pair of them are having fun together.’

Wimbledon 2012: Andy Murray and Brits warm up

Posted on June 24, 2012 by adminsports

Brits gear up for Wimbledon: Murray and co warm up at All England Club… now let's hope the rain stays away

UPDATED:

14:23 GMT, 24 June 2012

Andy Murray and his British compatriots polished their preparations for Wimbledon ahead of the start of the Championships on Monday.

Although rain forced the players off for a while during a warm-up session at the All England Club, most of them were able to be put through their paces on Sunday.

Along with Murray, Heather Watson, Laura Robson and Anne Keothavong were spotted warming up.

Fighting fit: Andy Murray tests his strength on the eve of Wimbledon

Looming: Dark skies hang above Murray as he's put through his paces

In the spotlight: Murray arrives for his session at the All England Club on Sunday

Murray will not step out at Wimbledon until Tuesday when he takes on Nikolay Davydenko in the first round.

The Scot has angrily dismissed suggestions that he exaggerates his physical problems on court, but world No 1 Novak Djokovic said he believes showing your aches and pains projects a sign of weakness.

Murray came in for criticism at the French Open as he battled a back problem, with former Wimbledon champion Virginia Wade calling him a drama queen and John McEnroe telling the world No 4 to forget about it.

McEnroe also hinted Murray's problems could be largely in his head, a claim that was quickly shot down by the Scot ahead of his first-round match at Wimbledon against Nikolay Davydenko on Tuesday.

Water nightmare: A shower forced the ball boys and girls to run for the covers

The 25-year-old said: 'I think eight painkilling injections in your back before the French Open justifies a genuine injury.

'If someone is going to say to me my back injury is not genuine, they can come see my reports from the doctors, they can see the pictures of a needle about eight inches long in my back. I'm not accepting criticism any more because it's not fair.'

Murray made no attempt to hide his problems in Paris, particularly when his back went into spasm against Jarkko Nieminen, while he continued to clutch at his back and show he was in pain throughout the rest of the tournament.

Djokovic is not afraid to get angry on court, as he demonstrated in the French Open final when he whacked his seat so hard with his racquet that bits of wood flew across the court.

But the Serb, who is a week younger than Murray, feels trying to hide any physical problems is important in order not to give an advantage to your opponent.

Ready to go: Laura Robson was in good mood ahead of her knock-up

Djokovic said: 'I think it's very subjective. Every player has different behaviour, a different character, a different way of presenting himself on and off the court.

'But, of course, on the court you always try to, in my opinion, hide whatever you're feeling from your opponent. You don't want to show your opponent that you're struggling too much because you're revealing your weaknesses.'

Murray has been handed probably his toughest draw at Wimbledon, beginning with former world No 3 Davydenko, who is now down at 47th but still potentially a dangerous opponent.

The Russian's greatest moment came in London in 2009 when he won the first Barclays ATP World Tour Finals played at the O2 Arena, and he has won four of his nine meetings with Murray, although they have not faced each other for three years.

Murray said: 'It will be tough. He was in the top four or five players for a number of years. He's won some big events. He's won the Tour Finals. He's won Masters Series. It's going to be a tough match. He hasn't played so well this year, but he has a lot of experience and has been a top player for a lot of years.'

All smiles: Heather Watson takes a walk around the All England Club on Sunday

Wimbledon has a slightly different feel this year with the Olympics to follow at the All England Club only three weeks after the end of the Championships.

Murray is currently the only confirmed member of the British team, but he will not be allowing thoughts of medals to distract him from his grand slam bid.

He said: 'There's so many big competitions for tennis players right now with Wimbledon, the Olympics, and then a few weeks afterwards the US Open.

'You really need to make sure you don't get ahead of yourself or start thinking three or four weeks in advance. You need to make sure you stay in the present and stay concentrated on Wimbledon. When Wimbledon is finished, then I'll get myself ready for the Olympics.'

While Murray is not in action tomorrow, several British players are, led by Heather Watson, who takes on Iveta Benesova in a match that is likely to be played on a show court in the evening.

Johanna Konta, the former Australian who was cleared to compete for Britain last month, faces 28th seed Christina McHale in the last match on Court 17 while Naomi Broady meets Lourdes Dominguez Lino.

In the men's competition, 18-year-old Oli Golding, the US Open junior champion, will take on Russia's Igor Andreev on Court Two and Josh Goodall faces Grega Zemlja on Court Three.

Wimbledon 2012 Novak Djokovic will gatecrash Britain"s summer party says John Lloyd

Posted on June 24, 2012 by adminsports

John Lloyd: Djokovic will gatecrash Britain's summer party by winning Wimbledon

UPDATED:

20:45 GMT, 23 June 2012

After a lifetime in the game, I believe Andy Murray is the greatest player in history never to have won a major championship. It is not how Murray will want to be remembered, of course. And over the next fortnight, he will again put himself in a position to win Wimbledon, the tournament that I’ve always thought is his best chance for success.

His early defeat at the pre-Wimbledon event at Queen’s Club will not handicap him.

He finds it easier than most to transform his game for grass. Who is going to beat him over five sets in the first two rounds at Wimbledon Nobody. So, Murray will be up and running at the tournament where he has been a semi-finalist for the last three summers.

Tough stretch: Andy Murray is the best player to not win a grand slam

Murray’s misfortune is that he is playing at a time when the game is blessed with three great champions, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. I played when Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe brought tennis to a new, wider audience. Tennis became box-office — it was a special era, one I never thought could be bettered.

While it is an imprecise science to compare one era of the game with another — the courts, rackets and tennis balls have all evolved — I now think Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have raised standards to an unimaginable level. They may not bring the bedlam and controversy of Connors and McEnroe, or the brooding brilliance of Borg, but the sustained quality and power of Nadal and Djokovic, and the princely presence of Federer, have entertained and alerted us to possibilities on a tennis court never seen before.

Djokovic’s dream of holding all four major titles at the same time, a feat last achieved by Rod Laver 43 years ago, failed only because Nadal produced another masterclass of claycourt tennis at Roland Garros. After losing against Djokovic at Wimbledon 12 months ago, in New York in the autumn and in Melbourne earlier this year, Nadal was playing for his sanity in Paris. If he had not won a record seventh French Open, the psychological damage might have destroyed him.

World class: Novak Djokovic was beaten by Rafa Nadal in Paris

Against men of such fierce mental strength, Murray has so far floundered. He reacted to this by hiring Ivan Lendl at the start of this year. Lendl has to keep Murray focused so that he doesn’t become involved in unnecessarily long matches in the early rounds. He will need all his powers for the second week of Wimbledon.

Since Lendl arrived, Murray’s body language has improved. But he still managed to invite criticism at the French Open for hobbling around holding his back in a match against Jarkko Nieminen, although there was no doubt the Briton was injured. Yet at times he was like a footballer rolling over on the ground after the slightest tap. Then, the next moment, he’d race across court like a greyhound.

Does it look good No. Murray’s antics similarly upset another opponent, Richard Gasquet. He was booed by the French. But Murray doesn’t care what people think — and if he’s not breaking the rules, it’s up to his rivals to take advantage of any problems he has. His job is to take care of business on his side of the court, and he seems to be doing that better than ever. Only Federer’s demeanour escapes criticism. Nadal and Djokovic are slow between points and this will not change until the rules are applied more rigidly.

Elegant: Roger Federer

Murray is seeded No 4 at Wimbledon but he’s the most likely to benefit if Nadal or Djokovic fall below their best, not Federer. Wimbledon still offers the Swiss his best opportunity for a 17th Grand Slam as he moves so well on the grass and has lifted six titles on the Centre Court. But he has not won a major since the Australian Open in January 2010 and you have to wonder how long he will go on if he comes up empty this year.

He’ll be 31 in August and his twin daughters are growing up. But Roger still gives the impression he just loves the game — just as my old mate Connors did.

In the summer of the Jubilee and the London Olympics, wouldn’t it be apt for Murray to be crowned champion Unfortunately for British fans, I think that honour will go to Djokovic.

Wimbledon is huge test for Andy Murray and Ivan Lendl relationship – John McEnrore

Posted on June 20, 2012 by adminsports

Ivan gamble… Wimbledon is a huge test for Murray-Lendl axis, says McEnroe

UPDATED:

21:30 GMT, 19 June 2012

Making his point: McEnroe poses with Nadal after the Spaniard won his seventh French Open

Long gone are the days when John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl were engaged in their deadly feud at the top of tennis, when they would barely acknowledge each other's presence in the locker room.

The passage of time has seen both men mellow into cordiality, but tennis's sharpest pundit still cannot resist the odd dig at his old rival, who broke his Grand Slam duck against the American with a famous win at the 1984 French Open.

Now McEnroe is more fascinated than anyone about Lendl's coaching relationship with Andy Murray, how it works, and how coach and player are said to feed off each other's sense of humour.

'I was shown an article saying that Ivan has come into the team and brought a sense of humour and that he's a lot more fun than Andy,' recounts a guffawing McEnroe, 'and I'm like: “My God, what has Andy been doing all this time” That I found really humorous.

'But my relationship with Ivan now is fine, we can laugh and talk about it now, we won't look at each other and walk in the other direction. He'll have some comment that he thinks is funny and I won't, and we can agree to disagree.'

Watching brief: The British No 1 is still awaiting his first grand slam

Clearly, though, beyond the banter there are reservations about whether first-time coach Lendl can manage the enormous task of trying to hone Murray's game and temperament to a level where he can overcome the brilliance of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

'I would think Ivan is still learning to be a coach. He's not full-time, that's tricky,' says McEnroe.

'Being part-time makes it very difficult to me personally. Andy seems to be an all-or-nothing guy. It sounds like he will have to do it that way but to some extent it's like he's getting his feet wet.'

McEnroe sees the key to Murray's development is eradicating the British No 1's tendency to fret on court, especially in the controversial area of reacting to injuries.

Reservations: McEnroe isn't sure whether Lendl can guide Murray to Wimbledon glory

'I don't know what's going with these injuries, his back. It's a place where a lot of stress goes. To me it's an area where Lendl potentially could help him. If you have a coach who's not going to take no for an answer, you could have someone who won't let him look for a way out to keep him in there. I don't think Ivan is the kind of guy who likes to take any s***.

'The more I thought about their partnership the more sense it made. There are similarities in their career paths, some definite similarities. Before he beat me in Paris Ivan was 0-4 in finals, Andy is 0-3. There's a lot of credibility he can bring to the table.

I don't think Ivan is the kind of guy who likes to take any s***

'Actually, I think this Wimbledon is the first time you can get a real gauge on how well it's going between them. At first I thought it was crazy, then I thought it was going to work out, now it's wait-and-see, you have to give it some time.'

McEnroe also sees similarities in himself with Lendl, in the way they tried to recreate the buzz of being a champion once their playing days were over, and is unsparing in his assessment.

'He had deluded himself into thinking he was going to be a golfer, like me deciding I wanted to be a rock star – the closer you get the more difficult you realise that it is. I think he was more serious about that than me going out to play some music.

Amicable: But Lendl and McEnroe endured a strained relationship during their playing days

'He spent a lot of time trying to get ready for the seniors golf, but after a certain amount of time maybe there's a reality check. He had got really far away from tennis, so for him this is a nice opportunity.'

They have even played against each other in seniors' tennis, and much to McEnroe's amusement he has found the tables turned, fitness-wise, from the day when Lendl came back from two sets down at Roland Garros to win in five and begin his collection of eight Grand Slam titles.

'When he first came back he thought okay, I'm going to be the old Ivan Lendl and get myself way fitter than everyone else and beat John's ass, but it wasn't that simple. The body doesn't answer the bell so easily as you get older. I never would have believed in my wildest dreams that I would be fitter than him.'

He fears something else might not be that simple in Lendl's new role – the sheer scale of talent ranged against his client Murray at the top. 'Is Andy as good as these other guys' asks McEnroe.

'I mean the others are unbelievably good. Murray is a great player, at least bordering on great. But is he as great as these other guys That's quite a different issue.

'It's difficult to say but it seems like the gap is widening again.'

But his advice for Murray is to look to showbusiness for some inspiration: 'An actor goes to a lot of auditions and doesn't get the part. Jack Nicholson didn't get anything until he was in his 30s. You have to persevere and put yourself in positions and sooner or later you will break through.'

John McEnroe commentates for BBC TV at Wimbledon, live coverage starts on June 25 across TV, radio and online.

Andy Murray: How Ivan Lendl gets me over bad times

Posted on March 25, 2012 by adminsports

Murray: How new coach Lendl gets me over the bad times

PUBLISHED:

22:15 GMT, 24 March 2012

UPDATED:

22:26 GMT, 24 March 2012

Andy Murray has credited his new coach Ivan Lendl with helping him get over defeat quicker and forget his bad matches.

The 24-year-old has suffered long slumps in the early part of the past two years after defeats in the Australian Open.

Future's bright: Lendl (right) watches Murray in action at the Sony Ericsson Open

In his last event, in Indian Wells, Murray lost his opener and he admitted such a defeat might have proved difficult to shrug off in the past.

'Now I'm able to deal with a bad loss a lot better,' said Murray, who plays in-form world No 26 Milos Raonic on Sunday in Miami.

'Having Ivan around helps; he's been through many of those experiences.'

A year or two ago there would be a problem or I'd play a bad match and, rather than getting the issue sorted out, it would drag on for a little while and affect my practice.

'As you get more mature you have to deal with it and Ivan knows the right advice to give.

'I obviously ask him questions about what he would have done and how he would deal with certain situations.

Mind games: Murray is better for Lendl's input

'He's asked for advice from other coaches because he's never coached before, and that was something very refreshing: for such a great player to ask for help.'

Murray also revealed the lengths Lendl, an eight-time Grand Slam winner, went to in order to gain an edge on his opponents.

'He used to practise with John McEnroe's and Jimmy Connors' racquets to see how they felt and see what things they could and couldn't do and maybe change some tactics because of that,' said Murray.

'He had a lot of quirks and he was great because of that.'

Australian Open 2012: Murray"s copycat tactics: Scot hopes to take the Lendl road to major glory

Posted on January 15, 2012 by adminsports

Murray's copycat tactics: Scot hopes to take the Lendl road to major glory

Andy Murray admits new coach Ivan Lendl is something of a storyteller.

And, after a week in his company in
Australia, where Murray is seeking to win his first Grand Slam title,
Lendl must have recounted the story of when he made his own major
breakthrough.

It is a tale that will embolden Murray for what lies ahead in his partnership with the Czech-American.

Similarities: And Andy Murray will hope his career ends like coach Ivan Lendl's (right)

For Lendl had already accumulated a fortune – as Murray has – when John McEnroe looked poised to inflict further misery on him at his fourth attempt to win a Grand Slam final, at the French Open.

Those of us privileged to be in Paris in the summer of 1984 to watch McEnroe, playing aggressively on a slow clay court, saw Lendl fall behind 2-1 on sets and 4-2 in the fourth.

But Lendl, a forbidding force on a tennis court, staged an incredible recovery.

McEnroe's temper flared, and the crowd roared Lendl to an improbable triumph.

Been there, done that: Lendl ended up winning 8 grand slam tournaments

Lendl said with a smile afterwards: 'Maybe now people will ask me questions other than when I am going to win my first big title.'

After losing three major finals, two of them in Australia, Murray wants nothing more than to make a similar statement to the assembled media in Melbourne a fortnight today.

Murray believes his appointment of Lendl, hardly seen on the tennis circuit since he retired in 1994, has enhanced his prospects of fulfilling a lifetime ambition.

'I enjoy being around Ivan,' he said yesterday. 'He's good fun, with a good sense of humour. As you probably expect, he has a lot of great stories to tell. Yet he doesn't hang around all the time. When we get the work done, he leaves, does his own thing. We've got on well so far.'

Murray, James Ward , Elena Baltacha, Heather Watson, Ann Keovathong and Laura Robson provide the greatest complement of British players at a Grand Slam tournament outside of Wimbledon since the 1992 Australian Open, so the world No 4 will not be the sole focus of attention.

Main hope: Andy Murray is one of six Brits playing in Australia

Yet Murray, who meets American teenager Ryan Harrison in the first round on Tuesday, remains central to the British narrative on the other side of the world.

After appearing in the semi-finals of all four majors last year, he is established as the primary threat to the reigning nobility of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

Yet Murray is not alone with questions to answer: Can Djokovic, winner of three majors last year, be as formidable again Is Nadal's body capable of sustaining his form across nine months Can Federer, 31 this summer, add to his 16 major titles

Lendl likes the possibilities opening up for Murray. 'I see a guy who wants to win and work hard,' he said. 'Obviously, I see the parallels between his career and mine, and I want his to end like mine.'

No djoke: But Novak Djokovic has some questions to answer

Lendl's final tally of eight majors, set alongside 94 titles in all, led him into Murray's sights once he realised his part-time coach, Darren Cahill would not join him on a permanent basis.

'Darren wasn't around enough at the Grand Slams,' said Murray. 'So I chatted with him about a few names, and Ivan was one of them. After speaking with him and spending a day on court together, it was obvious he was the guy I wanted.'

Lendl, 51, has blended comfortably with those closest to Murray.

'I think Ivan will give the team an extra bit of leadership,' said Murray.

Murray hopes Lendl will lead him away from that question: 'When are you going to win a major, Andy'

Stars could strike over prize money

Tennis stars voted to demand a greater share of the prize-money at Grand Slams with strike action a possibility at the French Open in May.

Britain's Andy Murray warned at the US Open last September that leading players felt they deserved a larger share of the huge profits generated by Wimbledon and the Australian, French and US Opens.

Chief executive of the players union, Brad Drewitt, wants the Grand Slam Committee to treat their claims with respect or they may strike in Paris.

Australian Open 2012: Ivan Lendl is perfect for Andy Murray, says Tony Roche

Posted on January 12, 2012 by adminsports

Lendl just champion for Murray, insists Roche as world No 4 awaits Australian Open draw

In a near-deserted corner of Melbourne Park, Andy Murray’s practice session crackled with intensity under the watchful eye of Ivan Lendl, with the British No 1 pounding winners past Argentinian sparring partner Juan Monaco.

As he did so, Tony Roche, who did for Lendl what the Czech now hopes to do for Murray, gave a ringing endorsement of the coaching appointment that has the tennis world abuzz.

Australian Davis Cup coach Roche, who turned the former world No 1 from Grand Slam final loser into a serial winner of big titles, described the new match-up as a ‘statement of great confidence’ in the abilities of the 24-year-old Scot.

A few pointers: Ivan Lendl dictates Andy Murray's training in Melbourne

Lendl had fallen short in his first four Grand Slam finals when Roche hooked up with him and that was converted into a career that bagged eight of the world’s biggest tournaments.

‘It’s obviously a similar situation to that which Andy finds himself in,’ said Roche. ‘Ivan knows what it takes to turn it round and win on the big occasions.

‘He was very strong on studying the opposition and working out their strengths and weaknesses. He was so professional about that and this is what he will bring to the table.’

Watching brief: Lendl has his eye on Murray

Murray is set to discover who he will be facing next week in the first round of the Australian Open.

‘It might be only about finding that extra percentage point in your performance and at this level that may be all it needs,’ said Roche, a left-hander in his playing days.

‘When I got together with Ivan the two guys giving him most trouble were John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors. He wanted to know how lefties thought.

‘We ended up having eight great years. Andy should draw great strength from the fact Ivan wants to coach him. It’s a statement of great confidence in him.’

Murray has arrived off the back of winning the ATP event in Brisbane and is seeded fourth for a tournament where he has reached the final for the last two years.

Caroline Wozniacki, however, is facing a battle to be fit for the year’s first grand slam after being reduced to tears during a dramatic quarter-final defeat by Agnieszka Radwanska at the Sydney International.

Wozniacki has injured her left wrist and lost 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, which could signal the end of her reign as world No 1. Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova is set to take top spot.

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