 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.
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