By Ben Jacobs
The news that Andy Murray and Alex Corretja have parted company has not come as a total surprise given that there were murmurings in the press over the past few days. This no doubt represents an important time in Murray’s career and the next few months could prove to be vital. Since reaching the Australian Open final, Murray has lost three times in a row, each time in his first match of the tournament.
It would seem that Andy is suffering from a lack of confidence right now. Everybody in the sport knows how talented he is and he is capable of beating any player on the ATP Tour.
This is why I feel it is crucial that he appoints a new coach at least before the French Open in order that the new man, whomever he may be, is able to raise the British number one’s level of confidence again which will allow him to play his best tennis.
It could be said that the pressure would normally be off as we enter the clay court season as the Scot is not expected to attain great results on that surface. But given his recent disappointing results and split from his coach, albeit a part-time coach, there is no doubt that much attention will be placed on him. The first clay tournament of the season in Barcelona next month will be a good entry point for Murray to start the process of rebuilding his confidence which was shattered when he suffered a straight sets defeat to Novak Djokovic. Murray should take some comfort in the fact that Djokovic has won 20 matches in a row so far this year and is looking at times to be almost unplayable.
Djokovic himself has cited confidence as the reason he was struggling at times in 2009 and the first half of 2010. In order to perform in any sport you need to have high levels of belief, however it is more evident in individual sports when a player is struggling whereas an athlete in a team sport can often hide or get away with sub-par performances if his/her team mates are playing well.
Nevertheless, there should be no need to panic but I do feel it necessary for Murray to appoint a coach of the highest calibre, possibly someone who has won grand slam titles himself and has been there and done it so to speak. Ivan Lendl has been mentioned but it does not seem to be a realistic option according to reports.
Ben Jacobs is a London-based Spanish/English translator and avid tennis observer. This is his third feature for www.Tennis-prose.com
Scoop Malinowski · March 30, 2011 at 12:15 am
This could be the lowest point in Andy’s career, even worse than 2007 when he was forced to miss the French Open and Wimbledon with the back and wrist injuries. I remember seeing his first round match at US Open and he was almost crying after he won it, it meant so much to him to be back. Now he’s down not from injury but from lost confidence which might be more difficult to repair and rehabilitate than any physical injury. I like the idea of Lendl as his coach. Lendl failed in his first four slam finals before finally winning the fifth from two sets down at 1984 French Open vs. McEnroe. I really hope Murray and Lendl join forces, both have similarly stubborn and lower key personalities. Lendl might be the one to bring out the best in Murray, more than any other person.
Ben · March 30, 2011 at 12:22 am
I’d welcome it as well Scoop, I feel Andy also suffers from a lot of pressure from the British media as we have no other hope. Something which I feel is unique and players of other nationalities don’t seem to have to deal with that problem.
Sakhi · March 30, 2011 at 12:36 am
Ben–Am not sure if your piece really says anything we haven’t all been saying for weeks now! It would be useful to have some fresh perspective on this issue beyond the lack of confidence, meltdown analysis. Does the British media, such as yourself, have any insider information on what his camp is saying about all this? I’d like to know for instance if his mum or the other two coaches he sacked have anything to add about this mess. Also, can we simply also acknowledge that Murray has never really been mentally strong and so this is simply staying true to pattern in some ways. Perhaps, if folks called it as it is, and stopped making excuses for his terrible play, he’d see the light and hire Lendl or any of the other worthy coaches around.
Ta.
Sakhi · March 30, 2011 at 12:38 am
P.S. as for pressure from the national media, this is hardly unique to the Brits. Just take a look at India and their cricketing heroes. Half of them have had death threats and their lives interrupted every time they lose a match. All this to say, it’s par for the course–He gets those huge endorsements for being a big star. No sympathy on that front either.
Ben · March 30, 2011 at 12:43 am
Sakhi, his brother Jamie gave an interview yesterday in which he said “he needs advice from the right person” In a press release today Andy said he is reviewing his coaching situation. That is the latest to be honest.
Scoop Malinowski · March 30, 2011 at 2:46 am
Interesting revelation from Jamie there. Reminds me of Lennox Lewis after the KO loss to Oliver McCall and soon after he fired his trainer Pepe Correa and brought in Emanuel Steward. The rest is history. Andy Murray needs to find his Emanuel Steward.
Dan Markowitz · March 30, 2011 at 9:10 am
Ah, that’s nonsense. A coach isn’t going to turn Murray around. Did a coach turn Fish around? Murray’s already had Gilbert as a coach. He clearly doesn’t respond to coaching. He’s got to find it within himself to make the turnaround.
Scoop Malinowski · March 30, 2011 at 2:39 pm
Somebody with diet and nutrition advice was able to convince Fish to change his ways. Brad Gilbert is not considered to be a top coach for no reason.Edberg worked with Pickard all those years because he obviously helped. Sven Groenveld and Bob Brett are highly regarded coaches because they get results. There are excellent coaches out there who can uplift and inspire a player to play much better, winning tennis. You have to think that there is someone out there for Murray to lift him out of his doldrums.
Dan markowitz · March 30, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Well, how good a job has Brett done with Cilic? He’s hit a serious wall. Murray’s last choice was of unassuming coaches. He clearly doesn’t like a strong coach like a Gilbert or Stefanki. L. John Wertheim had a interesting thing to say about Murray. He said never has a top player looked so miserable while playing.
Just landed in Miami, overcast but warm. I’m bussing it from airport to Miami Beach where I’m renting bicyle to cycle to Key Biscayne. Should be out at matches by noon or so.
Dan markowitz · March 30, 2011 at 3:40 pm
Why would any player hire Ivan Lendl as his coach? He’s never coached and the guy is more interested in making money and playing golf.
How many Grand Slam winners are coaching today? None.
Scoop Malinowski · March 30, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Cilic is definitely slumping big time. But many of the Croatians do hit that wall, A Croatian reporter told me they “are all headcases.” (Her words, not mine!) Murray’s situation is very unique, it’s like being named manager of the Yankees, in a way, with all the scrutiny and expectation. Almost a no win situation. Very tough call for Murray. If Lendl were keen on the job, and was truly enthusiastic and believed he could uplift Murray, it would be very interesting to see that combination. But chances are Lendl is not interested in being a subordinate figure to a current star or into all the travel and frustrations of having to match his wits through Murray against the current ATP elite. Maybe Dan C Weil can ask his good buddy Ivan Lendl if he would have any interest in such a partnership?