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Murray is struggling with identity crisis, says Mats
MATS WILANDER has claimed Andy Murray is suffering from an “identity crisis” before he starts his French Open campaign today.
And the world No.1’s first opponent wants to make the out-of-sorts Scot really sick by knocking him out in the opening round at Roland Garros.
Murray added a bout of flu to his woes last week after a terrible start to the season where he has also suffered from shingles and an elbow injury – and lost five of his last 10 matches.
The Wimbledon champion has admitted he has struggled for motivation after topping the rankings at the end of last year.
The size of his task here was shown yesterday when defending champion Novak Djokovic and tournament favourite Rafa Nadal won in straight sets. And threetime champion Wilander said: “With Murray, I would say that we are talking about a little identity crisis. Maybe not even he believed that he would remain at the top, and maybe he was not mentally prepared to handle the pressure.
“When the best dip in form, the others take confidence because they think they can beat you.”
That is certainly the case today for world No.85 Andrey Kuznetsov. The Russian has lost their two previous meetings – the last in China in October when Murray was starting a run of five consecutive tournament wins. “In Beijing, Andy was playing very good and he was on fire, beating everybody,” Kuznetsov said.
“It will feel different this time. I know that I can win if I play good.
“I didn’t know he has been ill. I’m sure that he will compete 100 per cent, but if he retires in the middle of the match I will be just happy. If I win, I will be a hero. If I lose, nobody will be surprised. There’s nothing to lose for me.”
Angelique Kerber became the first female No.1 seed to lose in the first round on Sunday. Stefan Edberg is the only male top seed to fall at the first hurdle in 1990.
Murray always struggles with the transition to clay – and needed 10 sets to get through the first two rounds last year against Radek Stepanek and Mathias Bourgue when he was playing well.
Defending champion Djokovic won his first match with Andre Agassi as his head coach yesterday – and then admitted Murray’s struggles this season were “understandable”.
The world No.2 suffered a slump after completing his career Grand Slam here last year. He said: “I can relate to that, because I have been through a similar situation.
“Andy has had an unbelievable year, especially the last six months and spent a lot of energy to do what he did. It’s no wonder that he felt a little bit, I guess, deflated.
“He needs time to rediscover that sense of motivation. But I’ve known him for a very long time, and I’m sure he’ll be back on track.”