Comment: Why Murray should be proud
Andy Murray: pictured after his 2008 US Open defeat
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Roger Federer set up a Australian Open final against fifth seed Andy Murray after easing past Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Melbourne. |  |
Sunday, 31, Jan 2010 12:43
By James Christie.
Losing in straight sets to Roger Federer is no disgrace and there are many positives to take from Andy Murray's Australian Open campaign, says inthenews.co.uk's James Christie.
So, Virginia Wade came closest to predicting the score. Former British tennis players Roger Taylor, Jeremy Bates and Tim Henman all predicted that the Scot would beat Federer in the final of the Australian Open.
Only 'Ginny' struck a cautionary note; putting aside patriotism to tip Federer to triumph. Perhaps it is significant that Wade, unlike Bates, Taylor or Henman, has reached and won a Grand Slam title. Maybe it takes a winner to identify a winner.
But Murray displayed many winning qualities during his tilt at the Aussie Open title, particularly when his eyes glistened and his monotone voice trembled as he tried and failed to complete his runner-up speech after the match.
A sign of weakness? Remember Roger Federer's tears on the same day last year as Rafael Nadal seemed to destroy his aura of invincibility. Just look at Federer 12 months and three Grand Slams later. Displays of emotion, not just a stiff upper lip, are second nature to sporting greats these days.
The tennis pecking order can change so quickly. Matches can too. At 30-0 and 3-2 up on Federer's serve, Murray gave a rare smile as if to dismiss his prospects of breaking. After winning the next point he suddenly rebooted to his default dour expression, sensing (correctly) that the match was suddenly on.
The 22-year-old's moist-eyed post-match turn is proof of his high expectations. His Twittering and practical joking with his entourage are just froth; he really wants a Grand Slam title.
Australia was his final frontier in terms of it being the one Grand Slam tournament where he had failed to make the quarter finals. His decision to turn his back on ranking points available in the Middle East and arrive early Down Under was brave and shrewd and must be repeated next year.
A successful run in the Hopman Cup alongside Laura Robson also seemed to contribute to a relaxed frame of mind approaching the tournament.
Ruthlessness has also been in evidence concerning his decision to ditch the Davis Cup, a career choice which will surely boost his chances of making 2010 better than 2009.
Roger Federer is the most obvious obstacle to his progress this year. Forget his 6-5 lead in their head-to-head meetings, Murray has been soundly beaten in both of their Grand Slam encounters.
Will the thought that Federer has the edge over him affect his motivation to get through the early rounds of tournaments, knowing that likely defeat faces him in the final?
It is a prospect which must have hampered the confidence of players such as Roger Federer's favourite whipping boys Novak Djokovic and Andy Roddick in the past?
For now, Murray should content himself with the thought that no-one else on the tennis circuit would have been capable of holding a candle to Federer today.
Federer's pre-match comment of it being "about 150,000 years since a Brit won a Grand Slam" could provide Murray with a thirst for revenge.
He could also watch a re-run of Andy Roddick's epic five-set defeat to Federer in last year's Wimbledon final.
Roddick didn't let heavy previous defeats at the hands of the Swiss legend stop him from having a real go during a thrilling match.
The American Andy proved he could do it and the Scottish Andy is certainly capable of repeating the feat.