IT’S SLAM PICKINGS
Andy is a national treasure who defied the odds... but he’s guilty of self-denial if he really thinks he can serve up another major
IT’S not that Andy Murray has become the boy who cried wolf – it’s just that it has become a struggle to believe him.
Another early Wimbledon exit and there’s a suspicion he is not being truthful to himself.
Only a few minutes after being blasted off Centre Court by the human cannon that is John Isner on Wednesday, our hero had somehow managed to beat the media to the main interview room.
Already in situ, the 35-yearold Scot spoke of missed opportunities and his belief he’s not done just yet.
Rewind 12 months and in exactly the same spot – a straight-sets defeat by Denis Shapovalov, another brutal slaying and his worst losing margin in London – he said: “I feel like I can do a lot better than what I did this evening.
“Ultimately I didn’t play how I would want and expect. And is it worth it?”
Professional athletes have a habit of struggling with a general acceptance that sometimes being better just isn’t enough.
This time his topspin was on the positives. Again, he could have done better but that hint of self-denial was lobbed into his bigger picture as the stats continue to pile up as a contradiction to his confidence.
He said: “I love playing at Wimbledon, a surface I feel like I can still compete with the best guys on.
“I was coming into this feeling like I could have a deep run.”
The hard fact is that five years have now passed since he last played in the second week, this year’s departure being the earliest in his 14 years of competing at SW19.
The three-time Grand Slam winner, two-time Olympic champion and knight of the realm appears to be kidding himself if his belief of being able to cope with the best is now credible.
What Isner exposed wasn’t only Murray’s fading ability to cope with a power game, it’s also the precision department that is on the wane.
The almost seven foot American’s 36 aces were one thing but Murray was the real master of his own downfall with basic mistakes.
A fourth and final set was gifted to his rival by his inexplicable failure to make simple return strokes.
‘Let’s go Andy, let’s go.” As a Centre Court draw, Murray remains the main man for the locals on the biggest stage but a familiar pattern is forming.
Early exits at both the Australian and US Open and comments to the media about his belief he can be better and competitive with the big guns in the latter stages of major tournaments.
He’ll head back to New York shortly and he’ll have a new tune in his head – “This time Andy, this time.”
Murray’s legendary status is so well earned.
How often has he delivered against the odds and become the pride of Scotland, on and off court, as an ambassador
for this country? There is also mitigation for Wimbledon.
An abdominal injury prevented him from training properly in the build-up, which included missing Queen’s, but the benefit of the doubt is now wearing thin.
The brute power of Isner blew Murray away and you have to look at the medical history – two hip operations and all of the wear and tear in an unforgiving sport.
The mind may be willing but the flesh was weak.
He’s pledged to soldier on but concedes he’ll need to become a seeded player in future events if he’s to fulfil his ambition of again proving he’s a genuine contender. He said: “If physically I’m in a good place, I will continue to play.
“But it’s not easy to keep my body in optimal condition to compete at the highest level. I really want to try to improve my ranking to a level where I’m getting seeded in Slams.
“I’ve spoken to my team a lot about that and hopefully that’s the position come the US Open or Australian Open next year where I’m seeded.
“If you’re playing against top guys right at the beginning of the event, it makes it a bit more challenging. That’s kind of what my goals are between now and the US Open.” Maybe Murray is calling it correctly and will prove age is no barrier as he’s just been beaten by an older man and his top seeded peers are in their mid-30s with Roger Federer is the big 40.
The 37-year-old Isner was so gracious in victory and spoke in humble terms about his pride of playing a legend on Centre Court.
That’s the big danger for Murray in the months ahead – big hitters are everywhere and there are plenty of more valedictory addresses and plaudits from where Isner’s came. Beware Andy, these are real wolves in sheep’s clothing.
I will continue to play but it is not easy to keep my body in optimal condition ANDY MURRAY ON KEEPING FITNESS UP NOW HE’S AGE 35