Forget: Murray needs to step it up
Fri Nov 27 03:13PM
France's Davis Cup captain Guy Forget, in London commentating on the ATP World Tour Finals for French TV, gives his views on Andy Murray, the darling of the O2 Arena. Along with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray is obviously one of the players you'd expect to have a major say in the Grand Slam tournaments over the next four or five years.
He's got all the shots. His backhand is amazing, his forehand has really come on and he has terrific touch too. He has the ability to mix up his game and that gives him several tactical options out on the court.
On top of all that he's also a real character. He hates losing and he's a dogged kind of performer. That said, I often feel he plays too defensively. Look at the match against Fernando Verdasco.
The Spaniard came into the net 43 times and Murray just 13. It should be the other way round. He's plays too much of a waiting game for my liking, and maybe playing in front of a British crowd is a bit stressful for him.
He really needs to switch to an attacking game, because he can do it, and do it brilliantly.
If I were working with him, I'd be getting him to play more of a serve-and-volley game, not all the time of course, but just occasionally.
I'd also tell him to take more risks with his returns of serve and to mix the pace of the rallies up more. He already does that really well but he could do it 10 times as much.
Murray is obviously a high-class player and when you talk about making changes to his game they're only minor adjustments. You're not going to "you have to change completely", but if he made these little changes I really think he could go up another two or three notches.
He also needs to make sure he doesn't let frustration get the better of him. Andy tends to get frustrated very quickly. He's always talking to himself and that can work against you in the end.
He has to learn to control those situations a bit better. Sometimes he even talks more than John McEnroe used to and it's an attitude that can put him off his game.
Murray is bound to win Wimbledon one day and he's going to become an icon in the UK. I think he'll do better than Tim Henman did, if you have to make a comparison.
He's stronger than Tim was at the same age, so he's got less work to do. And with the people he has around him, I think he'll make the right decisions. I hope he does anyway.
There will come a time, though, when he'll have to take his game to the next level. He can't carry on playing the same cautious, wait-and-see game if he wants to beat players at this level.
Murray has improved his fitness a lot and I get the feeling that's given him the confidence to play that type of game.
But even though he's improved in that area, his real strength lies in his ability to mix it up, to hit hard when he needs to and take his opponent by surprise.
Nice to see a relatively accurate assessment of Murray's. I must say he was less defensive in the Year-End Championships than in other tournaments. I would definitely like seeing an Andy Murray that uses serve-and-volley every now and then. I'm not holding my breath though.
From egy_allat on Fri Nov 27 03:57PMHe needs to accept defeat gracefully, and accept a win without out the display of a wild animal...He knew the rules of the tournament, so no need to be critical of how the decision to eliminate him was made. All the players knew the rules. He is always ready to make excuses and blame some for in this case slow play..... You lost, yes disappointed, but you lost according to the rules, Andy.
SheilaFrom sheiladuthie on Fri Nov 27 03:57PMI am disappointed, I wanted Reed to do the writting
From jakimamo on Fri Nov 27 03:58PMAndy Murray lacks mental toughness fwiw.
From fast_corey on Fri Nov 27 03:59PMI don't like the rules of the round robin too, but that is. If Murray had moved further and one between Roger and Del Potro would have been out, it would have been the same situation for them. Murray must accept that and work harder for the next season. This ATP Finals have proved so far how close are the top player at the moment: even kind Roger risked to be eliminated in the first round yesterday, and such a champion like Nadal has neither won a single set here not being at his top condition. That's how hard is right now the ATP tour.
Murray has got talent, but that alone it's not enought to dominate a season, actually neither to win a single Grand Slam; he and Djokovic have to be careful because now it's not just compete with Federer and Nadal, there're guys like Del Potro who's the rising star of ATP, Soderling who this year proved he can compete with the best, and then the veterans Roddick and Davydenko, strong player like Tsonga and Verdasco. I mean, Murray is just like them, he's not the chosen one. If he wants to be the man, he has to beat the man on the most important stage (GS). The way to become a n°1 is still long for the Scottish.From simondi.filippo on Fri Nov 27 05:03PMForget it right- Murray does need to step away from the defensive play, and get more aggressive. Federer has said it so many times, that Murrays preference for waiting makes him the weaker player against an attacking opponent. If he could start to deal with his frustration levels during play too, he'll improve significantly. People assume he's gonna win a slam, but with the age and high level peers in his era, he will need to match those people- fitness, mentality and tactics. He's so close, but with the like of DelPo showing his character and massive game, major success will only happen if he raises himself more.
From gill_leone on Fri Nov 27 05:05PMThe money on offer here is ridiculous and inhumane - as I've suggested in verse (yahoo me), tennis is a great game/capitalism is NOT a great system.
From david1franks on Fri Nov 27 05:30PMMinor adjustments that Andy Murray is quite aware of but he also knows he has to do it when he's ready and as he is still developing it will come when the time is right. Verdasco and Del Potro are very aggressive players and because of Andy's defensive SKILLS he beat them. He can't be doing too badly when he has such a brilliant record. All the top players fear him. He has progressed much further already in his career than Gut Forget ever did in his.
From jon60p on Fri Nov 27 05:56PMI think he can do it, or else not ... I'm not really sure, but I am confident he will.
From adrianday101 on Fri Nov 27 06:12PMstep up with what, his on court histrionics?
From george_pitich on Fri Nov 27 06:26PMMurray will never win a slam, he is too imature and does not have the extra facror that makes a real champion. No more excuses from the British first rounr exit specialists who built up a totally unrealistic future for him 4 years ago. He is a above average player but is now being left behind by younger players with far more talent and mental stability, his spoilt brat and mummy/s boy attitute wore thin long ago.He has achieved some minor results but will never be remenbered in the future.
From carolharwood890 on Fri Nov 27 06:30PMHas anyone event entertained the thought that Murray was a nervous wreck AGAN in front of the home crowd?? He's becoming the male version of Mauresmo. She definitely had the game to win at the French and he to at wimbldon or here. London has these chps for atleast four more years so he better get over it! Easy for me to say. I watched his match against Feds - who hasnt played well since his comeback from the long layoff. His timing comes and goes and his legs seem heavy - too many late nights witht he twins. Murray had him! and should have finished him but served the worst Ive ever seen from him. NERVES! He should have probably wrapped up Potro in 2 - didnt see it but Ill bet you nerves again in the 2nd set. Potro unfit for the 3rd set. Im shocked how Pots has turned it around since his first match this week. He hasnt played much since the us open. But netihter has murray but at least he won valencia and had a good match against blake in paris. He looked white as a ghost after the fed match - either sick or NERVES
From lilygotsilly on Fri Nov 27 06:35PMany writing from anyone other than mr reed is more than welcomed.
From tanwallace on Fri Nov 27 06:46PMI want to thank Reed for making Murray the most hated player on the internet .... well done
From fanrafa on Fri Nov 27 06:56PMI want to thank Reed for making Murray the most hated player on the internet .... well done, congrats
From fanrafa on Fri Nov 27 06:57PMMinor adjustments that Andy Murray is quite aware of but he also knows he has to do it when he's ready and as he is still developing it will come when the time is right. Verdasco and Del Potro are very aggressive players and because of Andy's defensive SKILLS he beat them. He can't be doing too badly when he has such a brilliant record. All the top players fear him. He has progressed much further already in his career than Gut Forget ever did in his.
From jon60p on Fri Nov 27 07:19PMI fully agree with Forget's comments. Murray has the most tactical game, all he needs is to be more agressive and mentally stronger to make the difference. His current strategy can not work against agressive players on a best of 5 sets.
He indeed needs to step up his game very quickly especially in 2010 otherwise I see him slipping in the ranking (out of the top4 for sure)From wagananda on Fri Nov 27 07:43PMIn fact, this was written by Simon Reed !
From morisjak on Fri Nov 27 08:05PMyes he is immature & totally spoilet! i agree with you carol.
From susan_leydon on Fri Nov 27 08:30PMnice try covering up your last article where murray was suppose to win the world tour finals pffffffffffft
From marko_p10 on Fri Nov 27 11:44PMReed's first acceptable article was written by someone else. I encourage Eurosport to fire Reed and hire Guy Forget.
From jrad878 on Sat Nov 28 12:49AMSimon Reed you are truly the #1 fan of Andy Murray and also his #1 enemy. Because you are the one who said all the wrong / bias thing to boost Andy and caused everyone on internet to come against Andy, and whenever you said something stupid on Andy like "Andy is today best player or this or that....", Andy will immediately fall in the next tournament.... always. So Reed, if you really like your boy to step up, say something more productive and real about Andy (as Forget did). By the way you are smart this time to use someone else to write this article about Andy. But as Marray is no longer in the ATP final tournament and with all other top players still have a lot going on there, you still prefer to write something only about Andy..... you are crazy.
From destong09 on Sat Nov 28 03:54AMThis is the best and most sincere article I have ever read from eurosport about Murray.But if I may add one thing to it, I would say that the british media should also reduce their improper support and rating of Murray's game compared to the likes of RF and Rafa coz this is the biggest pressure that is pulling Murray down. I think that Simon Reed should learn from Forget how to be objective and realistic when analysing the game and tactics of a player. Reed should not be carried away by the waves of patriotism and makes himself as a laughing stock amongst tennis analysts.
From elbaovis on Sat Nov 28 07:32AM....definitely home crowd pressure is working against Andy plus the over bloated rating by EuroS analystss.... Andy is good but belongs to the future.
joeibehsnr
From joeibehsnr on Sat Nov 28 08:19AMwhy did they not do head to head for this tounament?
From leonamasson on Sat Nov 28 08:35AMI watched the fed/potro match, and at 4-3 in the final set, I said to my brother. Murray and fed dont get along very well, wont be surprised if fed loses his serve in the next game. well what do you know?!?!?!? I could be wrong but I doubt it.
From ricky.carr4 on Sat Nov 28 08:48AMReally accurate. I think he's got it spot on when he talks about the home crowd pressure. You could see it - it was as if he was trying so hard to please - too hard. But Andy is def so talented and maybe when he gets a GS he can relax and win some more.
From heidimaghellian on Sat Nov 28 09:56AM.Minor adjustments that Andy Murray is quite aware of but he also knows he has to do it when he's ready and as he is still developing it will come when the time is right. Verdasco and Del Potro are very aggressive players and because of Andy's defensive SKILLS he beat them. He can't be doing too badly when he has such a brilliant record. All the top players fear him. He has progressed much further already in his career than Gut Forget ever did in his.
From jon60p on Sat Nov 28 11:12AMMurray is a little boy playng like he is a big boy... and enjoys playing with big ones. And he is SATISFIED.
From lovegeminilove on Sat Nov 28 11:41AMBeing a defensive specialist in tennis can bring you wins but in Andy Murray's case....I totally agree with Guy Forget. He needs to step it up. Not by just upping the tempo in his game but mixing it up by playing agressive tennis at the right moments. I get bored watching him most of the time because of being too defensive. Instead of waiting for the shots, he should command the shots more often and not just slicing it most of the time. I understand that he tries to sets up the shots in his liking but for crying out loud....not like 2..3..4 times slice shots. Unless he mixes up his playing style, I doubt he will ever win a slam. Winning slam means taking risk, playing agressive, confidence and a bit of luck. When will Murray ever learn?
From nvictor06 on Sat Nov 28 02:25PM
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