[BLOG] Andy Murray - Legacy

[Kieran]

Great blog post, Rational! Dunno how I missed it when it first was written but my tea went cold sitting over it. Very interesting. My own view is that Andy just lacked that little element between the ears that would put him up there with the greats, and taking his fair share of GS titles from the Big 3, just as they've taken from each other. It isn't intelligence he lacks, but maybe discipline (that he'd contain himself better and not get anxious when ahead), and mental stamina. He fades away in big matches. He just goes, and that's something I'm sure will change under Ivan. Again.

I lol'ed at all the Roddick stuff. And DP tiring these poor super-athletes out so they couldn't play a big final. Po' wusses. But I agree that when Andy is berating his box, he's actually firing himself up by berating himself. He's better off not doing this, though, and his big successes have come under Lendl, where this is minimal. I also reckon Andy Murray would be a funny bloke to know. He has a great sense of humour, very droll. Great stuff though, i look forward to reading some more!

 

[isabelle]

Interesting reading Martin. Let me ask you this? What's the general tone of people you know and talk to about Andy's Legacy?

a secong gold medal, is it enough to prove Andy's legacy ???

 

[Rational National]

Certainly since I wrote the first article he is 19-0 winning Queens, Wimbledon and Olympics so he literally couldn't have done any more.

I would still say that he is 2 slams away from Becker/Edberg/Wilander comparisons which is par for a player of his talent - I would say that this is definitely achievable and then there is no doubt about his inclusion in the list of top open era players, until then its still open to debate.

In terms of his legacy within the UK, he really is considered the preeminent sporting figurehead and when you consider that they are actually performing well at Olympic level it is quite an achievement to hold this position and actually improve as a result. 1 of the things I never really touched on in depth in my first article was about how the pressure of a nation affected him and perhaps stunted his growth - I mean for a man that made his first slam final aged 21 its difficult to argue that he is playing his best tennis aged 29, whereas Rafa and Roger hit their peaks much earlier and though Novak also aged 29 is equally playing at his peak, its fair to say that his peak started aged 24/25.