Make the effort Murray
Posted by Alex Livie on 25/02/2010
Andy Murray withdrew from the Open 13 in Marseille citing fatigue and he might as well have done the same in Dubai, such was the manner of his defeat to Janko Tipsarevic.
Murray was beaten 7-6(3) 4-6 6-4 but that was not a true reflection of the match, as Tipsarevic dominated for long spells and only flashes of brilliance came from the racket of Murray.
The world No. 4 came in for stiff criticism in his after-match press conference when he admitted he attempted things in his clash with Tipsarevic that he would not have done in a match with bigger stakes.
Murray later dismissed suggestions that he used his clash with Tipsarevic as a practice session, but his performance left you to wonder – with the Masters Series event at Indian Wells fast approaching.
It has been a disappointing event for the organisers of the Dubai Tennis Championships, what with Roger Federer pulling out through illness and Julien Benneteau throwing in an abject display just a couple of days after reaching the final of the Open 13.
There is significant prize money on offer in Dubai and the players have a responsibility to the tour, tournament organisers, paying public and themselves to put up a strong showing.
The one saving grace for Murray was that due to his level being well below his best, it made for an exciting game. On the points that Murray consented to make an effort he produced some thrilling tennis – a couple of stunning running forehand passes made the hairs on the back of the neck stand on end – and it cannot be said that the fans who watched the match did not get value for money.
But the fact remains that Murray was not at his best and admitted he tried things he would not have done in a Grand Slam. Novak Djokovic is a staunch supporter of trimming the schedule and if the events of Dubai are anything to go by, he may have a point.
Comments
Posted by Benjamin Tice on 26/02/2010
As a top 5 player in the world, he is an ambassador for the sport and needs to realise that he can't pick and choose which tournaments to "try" in... It doesn't matter if it's Wimbledon or The Chipping Sodbury Masters, he should give 100%, not just for the sponsors, but for the sake of his own pride
Quite frankly it's a bit pathetic
Maybe the sponsors shouldn't have spolt him and made him feel like a popstar... seems he's acting like one now
Posted by Benjamin Tice on 26/02/2010
ps, maybe he should take heed of Homer Simpson's advice:
Homer: "Son, when you participate in sporting events, it's not whether you win or lose: it's how drunk you get"
Posted by CK on 19/03/2010
Murray is always going to be wasted potential, he can win the smaller tour titles all he like, he doesnt have any heart or the other two-part piece of his anatomy he needs to compete with true giants of sport. Federer, nadal, roddick, cilic, del potro, and Mark philipooooooosus, hahahah could beat Murray in a Grand SLAM final.
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| Alex Livie found his way to ESPN after learning his trade with Sky Sports, Setanta Sports and Eurosport. He is running out of companies with sport in their name so has made it his raison d'être to ensure ESPN.co.uk has the website it deserves. |  |
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