Why Andy Murray is ready to win a Slam

Andy Murray

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After Andy Murray’s recent run of scintillating form, tennishead is feeling rather warm and fuzzy about the prospect of the world No.4 winning a Grand Slam this year.

So, to try to justify our prediction, we asked our coaching editor and MCTA Managing Director Dave Sammel to give us his thoughts on the matter…

The task in hand
So can Murray win a major? The answer to this question is a resounding “yes”, but it still has to be done. Roger Federer was odds-on to equal and then better Sampras’ 14 Grand Slams but that is proving to be sticky. Everyone thought British golfer Colin Montgomerie would win one of the big ones eventually, but that is now looking unlikely. Argentine scrambler Guillermo Coria had the French Open in his hands as the form clay-courter of 2004 when he choked and lost the Roland Garros final to an inspired Gaston Gaudio. What is my point? Well, although Andy is fancied by almost everyone in the game to win a Slam – and I’m convinced when he wins one that more will follow – winning the first one is an extremely difficult task.

How can Andy execute the Slam performance?
At the end of the day, a Grand Slam is just another tournament with an extra two matches to win. Andy has beaten every contender consistently so the training and preparation that he already puts himself through is clearly working. A key point is for Andy and his team is to remain relaxed about the process of continual improvement.

Keeping calm
Andy has been in a Grand Slam final (2008 US Open) so is now familiar with the management of time and stress during the last few days of a Slam. When the locker room is big and pretty empty, the days off need to be relaxed with the work short and sharp and the mind not obsessed with the next match. He has to earn a Slam, not think of it as his due, so the confidence must translate into a fantastic work rate from the first point to the last of the tournament.

Using his Locker Room Power (LRP)
Andy has many factors in his favour. The most powerful is Locker Room Power – the main contenders are very aware of him and he has beaten them often enough for them to be nervous of playing against him. They know Andy has done the physical work, they feel his desire and know he is not afraid to succeed.

Clay-court chances?
His age is right, as most multiple Grand Slam winners get their first Slam before 23. His game is all-court so he is a challenger on all surfaces. I predict he will have a good clay court season and be dangerous at the French. He will win many matches because of his LRP where lesser players have accepted he is better and the confidence of these wins will give him momentum to challenge the main contenders. It is possibly a year too early to beat Rafael Nadal on clay but Andy will have no pressure if he reaches a Nadal showdown.

Enough aggression?
Andy is lightening quick, strong and has a solid technique with no real weakness. If there is one thing, in my opinion, that will stop him from winning a Slam this year it will be a lack of aggression at key moments. Andy can sit back and run and rely on the mistake to come. If he lets a player who is hot dictate play for too long he could come up short.

The verdict…
In summary, players of less pedigree, skill, dedication and mental strength have won Grand Slams so it is highly likely Andy will stand among the privileged elite of tennis as a Grand Slam champion and probably on more than one occasion.

AOB…
On a personal note I’m proud to watch Andy’s success after years of mentoring and working with his physical trainer Jez Green, and time spent coaching the man who now guides him from the sidelines, Miles Maclagan.

Fans' Comments

Add your own remarks below

sally, London Apr 8, 10:55 AM

I just hope the press don’t now solely focus on Murray winning a Slam as it is bound to get into his head. He seems to do well when expectations are a little lower. For example last week, we were continually expecting him to pull out because of injury. At Aussie Open, he was one of the faves and look what happened to him. So I just hope the British press do not over do it.
He is looking pretty damn hot though.

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