Andy Murray's ATP World Tour Finals test of body and mind

Last updated on .From the section Tennis

ATP World Tour Finals, O2 Arena London, 9-16 November |
Sunday: Murray v Nishikori on BBC2/website/sports extra at 14:00 GMT |
Coverage: Afternoon sessions (14:00 GMT) and first semi-final (14:00 GMT) on BBC2/BBC website, final on BBC3/BBC website (19:00 GMT); live commentary of each match on 5 live sports extra, live text commentary on BBC website |
A hard indoor court with home support thrown in - there will be much to Andy Murray's liking in London this week as he strives for the perfect note on which to end the year.
He is playing his best tennis of the season, but having won three tournaments in six weeks and covered nearly 15,000 miles in the process, will mind and body be sharp enough for these season-ending World Tour Finals?
Murray has already played 76 matches this year, and with another three guaranteed in the round robin stage, will surpass the 77 he contested in his busiest year to date in 2009.
He only took two days off after his successful autumnal run came to an end in Paris (watching football and tennis, and casting an armchair vote to help keep his mum in Strictly Come Dancing), but the 27-year-old feels his powers of recovery have now been fully restored.
"I enjoyed playing a lot of matches," Murray said, mindful of his limitations in the first half of the year as he recovered from back surgery.
"My body needed that. At the US Open I felt like I was starting to play well again, but I needed some more matches at the highest level.
"It's given me a lot of confidence in my body for next year especially. I can go into my off-season training block knowing that I can last these matches."
Anyone who saves five match points to win a final against Tommy Robredo twice in the space of a month must be full of belief.
Two wins against David Ferrer showed consistency was returning to his game, and even though three recent meetings with Novak Djokovic have all ended in victory for the world number one, Murray is gradually making up the ground he's lost in this frustrating year.
"The whole year I was getting told: 'you haven't beaten any of the top players'," Murray continued.
"At times I was getting told: 'you haven't beaten a top-12 player', then it was a top-10 player and then it was a top-eight player. Now, it's 'you haven't beaten Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Djokovic'.
"So I'm hoping it's gradual steps and slow progress this year. Hopefully, just by putting myself in a position to compete with them, I will get back to that top, top level again."
Murray admitted to rushing when he went into an early second-set lead in his most recent meeting with Djokovic in Paris, a sign perhaps that he still does not quite trust his instincts in the toughest matches.
The operation clearly checked his progress and the loss of coach Ivan Lendl hindered his recovery. But the relationship with his new coach Amelie Mauresmo is developing nicely as the two become increasingly comfortable in each other's company.
ATP Tour Finals Group B | |
---|---|
Player | Seed |
Roger Federer | 2 |
Kei Nishikori | 5 |
Andy Murray | 6 |
Milos Raonic | 8 |
"Coaching relationships can work in a number of ways," continued Murray. "Sometimes the coach comes in and the first week you have great success, then it can actually deteriorate. Sometimes they can start off slow and improve.
"For us, it was a tough time to start around the grass-court season - there's a lot of pressure and stress on my performance around that period of the year - but the last few weeks have been good.
"It's worked pretty well so far. The big test is competing for the Grand Slams, but we'll only really be able to test that next year."
The ATP World Tour Finals are the next biggest test outside the Slams and there is every incentive for Murray in London this week.
Forced to withdraw from the event last year as he began his rehab, two years after pulling out one match in with a groin injury, Murray would love to reach the final for the first time.
If he does, he would give himself a chance of ending the year at four in the world, which in turn should guarantee a more palatable draw at the Australian Open.
Stan Wawrinka, Kei Nishikori, Tomas Berdych, Milos Raonic and even Marin Cilic will all have the same ambition, though. The prospect of taking Djokovic, Federer and Nadal out of the equation until at least the semi-finals in Melbourne may spark extra life into some very tired limbs.
Comments
Join the conversation
He always puts in 100% in matches and thats all you can ask.
Only Federer has won more matches this season and I think that speaks volumes for how good Murray is. A good run here and he'll be back to 4 in the world.Not bad really.
I don't even like tennis ABM."
Nearly ten percent of posts in this thread are from you, a self-admitted non-tennis fan, about hating Murray. Have a look at yourself mate.
Any political nonsense should not be allowed on threads like these.
how pray tell has he "made it clear" he hates the english?
he may have favoured an independant Scotland but that doesn't mean he hates the english.
its a very bold statemnet to make.
you care to answer the question or back up your claim?
Again i ask how is he anti british and when did he "make it clear" as you state that he "hates" england??
Again i asj how is he anti british and when did he "make it clear" as you state that he "hates" england??
@34
i have a feeling the crowd reaction ay wimbledon we be the same as always and be cheering him on.
They are there for the tennis and no other reason so why would they not support him?
and thats a reason to hate him?
He is a GREAT great british tennis player.
he is a scot and is passionate about Scotland
just like the English people (i assume) on here who hate him are passionate about England and make comments!
newsflash we still all Brittish!!
"The Scottish independence comment along with the 'Anyone but England' jibe gives you an insight into his mentality"
+++++++++++
Yeah and comments like this give us an insight into the mentality of daily mail readers.
He will win everything he ever dreamt of if he can manage his emotions.
Who cares if he believes that he is Scottish. He is Scottish. Just like some of the more English commentators on HYS are Cockney and c**ks i their very nature. Like eastenders