Can Andy Murray win a Grand Slam?
Since the commencement of the Open Era, the United Kingdom has been trying desperately to generate a player as powerful as American legends Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, Swiss phenomenon Roger Federer, and most recently, Spaniard Rafael Nadal.
However, despite the attempt to produce strong, talented and successful professional tennis players, another one of the country’s greatest tennis players in this era has been disappointment. To the pessimistic tennis fan, it hardly seems likely that British
talent will ever be revitalized.
Nevertheless, there is always some hope to be retained, Britain’s current Number 1 Andy Murray, seems to be doing his best to rejuvenate that hope, promoting his country’s tennis reputation with his straight sets victory against World Number 2 Roger Federer
at the 2010 Shanghai Tennis Masters 1000 Championship.
However, the fact remains that British tennis has never had much of a high-flying place during the Open Era. After 40 years of this stage of tennis, a viable contender has not yet made an appearance, leading fans to believe that perhaps no British player
will turn up and wow the World of racquets with his skill, and perhaps become a contender for the much-coveted GOAT – Greatest of All Time–tennis player.
Take Andy Murray himself, for example. He has been trying since the beginning of his career to become the tennis player his country so badly wants to produce. The 23-year old is under immense pressure to do well and to put an end to the everlasting question,
is Andy Murray the greatest player to never win a Grand Slam title?
The current World Number 4 has been a constant fixture at hard court Grand Slam events, and has even amassed two finals appearances. However, in both these finals, he was defeated by Roger “the Maestro” Federer. Before reaching the finals, Rafael Nadal always
seems to stand in the way of his success. These men are both contenders for the title of GOAT.
Next year should be Andy Murray’s year to win a Major tournament. However, that prediction has been doing the rounds since the player first made his debut. What if he doesn’t make it again in 2011?
While watching Murray replays, one notices that he has all the potential required to become great, he has the first serve, the backhand, the speed, the anticipation, the volleys, the only things he lacks are a decent forehand, and aggression. He seems to
want the Grand Slams, but at the same time, his disinclination towards aggressiveness can be his downfall.
With the right mindset, the Scottish player could easily have at least one Grand Slam at this point. Unfortunately, for as long as he lacks an aggressive forehand, his Grand Slam days are a far-off dream.
In addition to this, Murray’s stubbornness may also contribute to his failure, instead of rising from the ashes of a defeat, he becomes disheartened and disappointed. What Murray needs is coaching for a forehand, the development of an aggressive streak,
and the will to push ahead with determination.
Tags: