Big 3 salute one of the greats
HE was the only one of the so-called Big Four not to reach double figures for Grand Slam successes.
But Andy Murray’s company at the top of tennis reckon he’s one of the greats given his skill with a racquet and steeliness without one.
The three-times Grand Slam champion is playing again after a career-threatening hip injury left him even unable to tie his shoe laces pain-free.
His successes came during an era in which Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal joined him in dominating. Speaking on a new Amazon documentary ‘Andy Murray Resurfacing’, which is out on Friday, Nadal hailed the Scot as naturally gifted. The 19-times Grand Slam champion said: “He has always been one of the most talented players I have ever seen. “When he had a couple more years on the Tour he became more solid mentally. When someone with
BY TED TRACEY
his level is able to work with that intensity, it’s because he really wants to do something more.”
Djokovic, with 16 Grand Slams, hailed the warrior Murray, who defeated him for his first at the US Open in 2012.
He said: “I feel, for both of us, knowing how we grew up, the expectations, the pressures, everything that was ahead of us, he needed that philosophy about life and mindset.
“I feel that has made him tough and just made his skin so thick he can sustain anything.”
And Federer, with the most Grand Slam singles titles in history – 20 – added: “He plays the most amazing tennis.
“This is the reaction of a champion. Be tough, work hard, surround yourself with the right people, believe you can turn around matches, play through pain and play through injuries.
“All of that, Andy has shown he can do.”
His family is united in praise for the 32-year-old but strongly doubt he is only glad to be back.
His brother Jamie said: “I reckon if you told him this time next year he would be ranked in the top 10 of the world, he is biting your hand off for that. Sure. 100 per cent. You wouldn’t even finish your sentence and he would take that.”
And mum Judy said: “My gut is telling me he has unfinished business. He loves what he does.
“If you watch him, he knows what everyone is doing still, knows all the results, he knows what is going on, he still follows the player council. You don’t do that if you are ready to let it go, so he is not fooling me.”