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Even John McEnroe is caught up in Murraymania
13 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Andy Murray looked ecstatic after he conquered Novak Djokovic in the Olympic semifinal. The crowd support overwhelmed and inspired him to a new level, a new level of tennis joy. Murray himself said the crowd’s intensity was better than Wimbledon, it “was more like a concert.”
One can only imagine how Murray might feel if he wins on Sunday.
Murray was clearly loving his triumphant moment as he strode around the court in a state of elation, savoring and absorbing it all in, smiling, holding his head up to the heavens, raising his fists, we never saw Murray feel this kind of happiness in the tennis arena.
In a weird way, Murray’s taking it all in from his highly charged stadium of supporters was not much unlike the Frankenstein monster accepting the electricity which brought his being to life.
Will the spectacular, roaring, stimulating energy from the Olympic crowd continue to spark Andy Murray to a new, highest level of his tennis life?
From the way Murray looked yesterday, so happy, so elated, I can’t see how not. Even his court demeanor and eyes during the match with Djokovic showed a different confidence. Yes he was whiny a few times, so what, it was a difficult, high-pressure match with the world #2 player. I saw a different animal out there in Andy Murray yesterday, he looks like a king now, more confident than ever before. His eyes seemed to express, “This is my kingdom and you are my people. We have waited long enough, this is our time. I will wear the crown.”
Even John McEnroe could not or did not bother to conceal his desire to see Murray win the Olympic golden crown. “It would be really great to see Murray win the gold medal,” he said at one point during the match.
Then after it was over, during his interview on court with Murray, McEnroe told Murray he’d be “pulling for” him and to “play your best” and beat this guy Federer. Murray smiled and said that’s the plan.
Poor Djokovic though, he never had a chance. The sensitive Serbian never thrives in situations when the house is against him and yesterday was the most challenging situation he’s probably ever been in. Now we will see if the Olympic stadium crowd of united Brits for Andy Murray can discourage and neutralize the drive of Roger Federer, who also must deal with the pressure of finally winning his first Olympic singles gold medal, which he has failed in three previous Olympic Games.
Murray is ready to become a king
13 comments
<< Spectacular Andy Murray Conquers Federer To Win Olympic Gold Medal
Steve · August 4, 2012 at 2:59 pm
No matter what happens tomorrow he’s still the slamless wonder.
Steve · August 4, 2012 at 3:04 pm
“The sensitive Serbian never thrives in situations when the house is against him”
–I call BS to this Scoop. 🙂 Unless he’s playing in Serbia the house is always against him yet he has thrived winning multiple slams. What slam final was the majority of the crowd for him??? Never happened.
He seems like a great person with a good sense of humor but he just doesn’t have many fans and will never be as well liked as Nadal & Federer for whatever reason.
Michael · August 4, 2012 at 8:34 pm
“The sensitive Serbian never thrives in situations when the house is against him”
Yeh, I call it as well. It’s complete nonsense. In fact, didn’t he win his first Major with a semi-hostile Australian crowd. To say nothing of the fact that a guy can’t reach or be #1 if there were any truth to Scoop’s statement.
Scoop Malinowski · August 5, 2012 at 12:42 am
No Michael the Aussies like him and liked him in 2008. When the crowd is totally for his opponent like in Paris last year and yesterday vs. Murray, I believe it has an effect on Djok and inhibits him. It’s tough for anybody. We’ll see how Fed handles it tomorrow. If Murray wins it will illustrate my point perfectly – that extreme intense crowd support can be the different in winning and losing big matches.
Steve · August 5, 2012 at 2:41 am
Wait…Djoker more popular than Tsonga in ’08 at the Aussie? That’s hard to believe. I think, like most matches, tomorrow will be about tennis. Fed’s a veteran and has there will be more Swiss in the audience tomorrow than a few weeks ago. The crowd won’t phase him. No one has their best stuff every match and a lot of it has to do with your opponent. Let these guys own a loss without excuses. the US Open will be very telling for Djoker.
I wonder what the forecast is? Roof or no roof?
Steve · August 5, 2012 at 2:43 am
Has Djoker lost a bit of confidence over the last few months? This is the question.
Steve · August 5, 2012 at 2:54 am
Dolgo had a really nice win over Querrey today. He will face Haas who seems to be on a tear.
Michael · August 5, 2012 at 3:41 am
“If Murray wins it will illustrate my point perfectly”
No it won’t. It will illustrate a point I’ve tried and failed miserably to convince you of many times. That two out of three tennis may as well be a different sport than three out of five. It’s that different.
And Joker (like any top player) isn’t effected by the crowd nearly to the extent you think he is. And the fact that the crowd is against Joker in particular (see every USO Open match he’s ever played against Fed, Roddick or Nadal) has little to no impact. It may actually motivate him somewhat more.
Dan markowitz · August 5, 2012 at 12:11 pm
On the plane to go to Buffalo and then Niagara Falls and Toronto tomorrow. Psyched to see Djoko and Murray still in Canada draw. Some good matchups tomorrow: Nalby and stepanek I believe. Murray could face Raonic in 3rd round.
Hass took apart Fish forehand. Can’t believe more people don’t play Fish fh.
Do you think it makes any difference that Lendl has not been around this week for Olympics?
Scoop Malinowski · August 5, 2012 at 1:45 pm
Djok changed that dynamic when he hit the miracle forehand down MP vs. Fed, from about 20-80 for Fed to 50-50 with the shot and arm raise. I think that was also a key just as much as saving the two MPs. It boosted Djok and bewildered Fed at the sametime. Djok had no chance to get the GB fans on his side at Wimbledon on Friday )
Scoop Malinowski · August 5, 2012 at 1:50 pm
Likely Steve, losing matches and especially losing close matches chips away at your confidence, Djokovic has a lot more losses this year than last and obviously not the same aura of invincibility. Also throw in the hunted/hunter, pressure to defend, big target on his back aspects and it explains Djok’s slight decline this year. Hope he gets it back and shows us his best tennis again.
Scoop Malinowski · August 5, 2012 at 1:51 pm
Haas making a claim for comeback player of the year with Brian Baker. Great year for both.
Mitch · August 5, 2012 at 4:17 pm
Are Murray, Djokovic and Del Po really still going to play Toronto? I guess they’re all seeded and won’t have to play the first day or two, but hard to believe they’d want to jump on planes today to fly to Canada to play on hard courts.