As Nadal fans everywhere mourn the loss of the Australian Open final and struggle to manage their disbelief at a seventh consecutive loss to Djokovic with extreme fatigue on a Monday morning there are two important points to take away:
1) He almost won
2) The crippling depth of the Djokovic return can only be combated by more effective serving from Nadal Read more
Posted in Andy Murray, Australian Open, Injury, Physio Perspective, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, US Open, Wimbledon
Andy Murray was hoping to try and change the statistic that 26 of the last 27 Grand Slams have been won by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic, but it was not to be. The strange almost five hour match was won, eventually, by Novak 6-3, 3-6, 6-7, 6-1, 7-5. Defending champion Novak will now face Rafa for the title.
In his quarterfinal Novak had been clutching at his hamstring and struggling to breathe but initially looked to be OK, but not at his best, in his match against Murray. Despite an early break Murray stayed unusually positive even after Djokovic took the first set despite increasingly struggling to breathe. Read more
The rivalry between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer was renewed at the Australian Open the minute Rafa opened his mouth to the media about player issues and Federer’s lack of interest in them.Tonight Federer and Nadal fought for a finals position and a chance to claim another Grand Slam and it is Rafael Nadal who will play either Novak Djokovic or Andy Murray in his bid for his 11th Grand Slam.
Rafa was forced to fight for his fourth consecutive Grand Slam final but after three hours and minutes Nadal won 6-7, 6-2, 7-6, 6-4
Roger came out firing looking like he planned to slaughter Nadal with his aggressive accuracy from the first point. He quickly found himself at 1-4 before Rafa finally found his range and got back on serve at 3-4, his forehand finding its mark. Read more
Much is being made of Rafael Nadal’s recent comments towards Roger Federer’s attitude toward changing and improving the tour to preserve the bodies of the players. Nadal sees the changes as necessary to ensure that when they retire the players bodies are still healthy enough to allow them to enjoy all the things they avoided to stop them from voiding their professional insurance policies.
It reignites the argument of the thoroughbred vs the work horse – Federer being the thoroughbred and everyone else being the work horses. Read more
Posted in Andy Murray, Australian Open, Hard courts, Injury, Media, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, US Open
This years Australian Open is a tough one to call, mostly because there are a few niggling injuries in the top 15 and quite a few who are yet to show form that warrants their high ranking.
Then there are a few variables.
Sam Querrey is returning after a lengthy and serious injury time out but according to American insiders is playing well. David Nalbandian is always dangerous and overflowing with potential but always seems to come up short or injured, much like Lleyton Hewitt. Read more
Posted in Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, Australian Open, Bernard Tomic, Body Watch, David Nalbandian, Fernando Verdasco, Gael Monfils, Injury, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, John Isner, Juan Monaco, Kooyong Classic, Lleyton Hewitt, Milos Raonic, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Roland Garros, Tomas Berdych, Wimbledon
Andy Murray has struggled for more than 2 hours to beat Mikhail Kukushkin 5-7 6-3 6-2 at the Brisbane international. Murray hobbled for much of the match and had his thigh strapped during the match. The Scott who struggled at the end of last season with a groin injury called for the trainer twice during the match.
Kukushkin did well to capitalise on Murray’s slow start racing to a 5-1 lead in the first set before Murray managed to level at 5-5 before giving up the first set. Ultimately the difference in the match came down to fitness.
“You’re meant to be ready from the start and I wasn’t quite there today. But I played better towards the end, I started to move a little bit better. Read more
Posted in Andy Murray, Brisbane, Injury, Mikhail Kukushkin
After flying solo for a few months Andy Murray has announced that he has hired eight time Grand Slam winner Ivan Lendl as his new full time coach saying, “Very happy to announce that Ivan Lendl is my new full time coach. His impact on the game is unquestionable and he brings experience and knowledge that few others have, particularly in major tournaments.”
Much like Murray Ivan struggled to get across the line and win his first major. The Czech (now US) player was runner up four times before he finally got across the line at the French Open in 1984. Read more
Everyone keeps saying Judy Murray needs to withdraw herself as an ever present tennis mum, no matter good her coaching skills are, before Andy Murray will be able to take the next step. It seems those hopeful of Murray’s potential at Grand Slams are finally getting their wish.
Judy Murray’s got a job! Read more
Posted in Andy Murray, Fed Cup, Judy Murray, Kim Sears
David Ferrer has notched up an impressive 6-3, 6-1 win over Serbian world number one Novak Djokovic. While Djokovic may have called it his worst match of the season, Ferrer was delighted with his performance which has secured him a spot in the semifinals of the World Tour Finals after he also beat Andy Murray in straight sets on Monday.
It’s a great result for probably the most consistent player on the circuit for a number of years. Ferrer’s 18 winners to Novak’s 11 gave him an advantage but it was Nole’s implosion with 33 unforced errors to Davids 18 which ultimately crippled him. Read more
Roger Federer has claimed his first win over Rafael Nadal in a year. The world number four smashed Rafa 6-3, 6-0 in just 62 minutes. On the fast indoor court Rafa was no match for Federer who thumped 28 winners in the short match, barely breaking a sweat as he destroyed the Spanish world number two old school style.
Nadal was hampered by a shoulder injury that prevented him from practicing on Monday. The Spaniard is not the only player struggling with injury at this late season stage – Murray just withdrew with a groin injury and Fish had issues with his hamstrings. Read more
Posted in Andy Murray, Injury, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Mardy Fish, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, World Tour Finals
