If ever a tennis player’s record were to keep you on your toes it would be Andy Murray’s. Britain’s number 1 has opted out of the latest ATP tournament after his opening 3 set defeat to David Ferrer. Murray’s injury won’t be the only thing left aggravated if Roger Federer beats Rafael Nadal in the next match, as this would knock the Scot off his world number 3 place.
Even though Murray has admitted that this has provided him some lessons when it comes to the sensitivity of injuries, one can’t help but wonder how he has managed to get this far in his career when he makes such poor decisions as this. He maybe world number 3 but that doesn’t mean he can’t take advice when needed- and at this point it was clearly needed.
This has been the first time that Murray has had to pull out due to an injury which admittedly is a great achievement, although this is overshadowed by the fact that that Murray had confessed at the press conference that he shouldn’t have played in the recent Basel tournament in October with the knowledge that it might be a strain.
With arguably two of the world’s greatest ever players Djokovic and Federer both earning a break after the US open surely following suit would have been the sensible option? Yet again the question over Britain’s abilities to produce worldclass tennis players comes into play. Why is it that we finally achieve a topranking individual but the only thing reaching the pinnacle is the hysteria and hype over them?
Near hits and misses do not qualify a world class player and although Murray has managed to secure several grand slam finals he hasn’t seemed to break through and everyone is now waiting with baited breath for his return for the Australian Open in January.
Will Murray mania continue? Has the frenzy slumped, much like the end to Murray’s season? Hopefully this time out will give the Scot perspective on his year so far and 2012 will be the start of breakthroughs rather than breakdowns.
Links:
[1] http://www.inquirelive.co.uk/node/3993