Well Done Andy Murray!

and just in time too!

The end of the world is nigh - if the US election goes the wrong way on Tuesday. Murray may in fact be the last world number 1.

Seriously though, a great achievement - but Djokovic will be fighting back hard at the O2.

 Yes, an astounding achievement for a Scot.

Famously, known to be the worst tennis playing nation on the earth.

Of course, we also have one of the World number 2 doubles players (number 1 not so long ago). Unfortunately, when the Murray brothers retire, we will reclaim our status as the worst tennis playing nation on the Earth.

Unless we can persuade Judy Murray to have another son or daughter?

Hmack posted:

Of course, we also have one of the World number 2 doubles players (number 1 not so long ago). Unfortunately, when the Murray brothers retire, we will reclaim our status as the worst tennis playing nation on the Earth.

Unless we can persuade Judy Murray to have another son or daughter?

That's the one thing we're bad at as a nation - forward planning.   Everything our government does seems to be focussed on the short term, not the long term.  (Not that I'm suggesting the government becomes involved in Scotland's family planning...)   If only the LTA was in touch with our local clubs and the reality of their day to day existance... tennis is (but shouldn't be) a sport for the well heeled among us.  There's a definite correlation between those who have active NAP500 systems and those of us who's children or grand children are climbing the LTA's achievement ladder.

I'm assuming, by the way, that Judy and her sons listen to Linn - only because of their Scottishness.

He needs a well earned holiday.

TOBYJUG posted:

He needs a well earned holiday.

Agree, I won't say +1 .....but how about 15 love 

wenger2015 posted:

.....but how about 15 love 

I say deuce darling   

So he can now be classed as a Brit rather than being a Scot

Mike-B posted:

wenger2015 posted:

.....but how about 15 love 

I say deuce darling   

That's game , set and match 

Fantastic player!!

...and again!

G

Is Andy playing exceptionally well or is Novak off his game?

I think Djokovic was only able to play as well as he was permitted to by Murray. Yes, he made twice as many unforced errors as the Scot, but many of those were effectively forced by his frustration with Murray's highly effective tactics. Let's stop looking for excuses to denigrate Murray. As Djokovic himself said, Murray is the better player, has been for the last 6 months, and completely merits his No.1 position.

Timmo1341 posted:

I think Djokovic was only able to play as well as he was permitted to by Murray. Yes, he made twice as many unforced errors as the Scot, but many of those were effectively forced by his frustration with Murray's highly effective tactics. Let's stop looking for excuses to denigrate Murray. As Djokovic himself said, Murray is the better player, has been for the last 6 months, and completely merits his No.1 position.

I agree with Timmo1341. Andy Murray has certainly been playing much more consistently at the top of his game over the last 6 months or so, and when he does occasionally drop off a little, he has been able to find a way to win, which is an attribute of the very best players.

However, I do think that Djokovic has not been playing at the top of his game quite so consistently lately, although his form against Raonic and Nishikori leading up to yesterday's final was pretty sensational. I guess the astonishing thing is how consistently well Djokovic has played for a number of years leading up to the middle of this year. Like Federer and Nadal, before him he has been virtually unbeatable for a period of years. His form may return next year, although both Nadal and Federer found it difficult to regain their top form after injuries and form slumps  

It's an amazing achievement for Murray to have done so well over a period of years dominated by (in my opinion) the best 3 players ever to have picked up a tennis racket. This comes from someone who watched Rod Laver when I was a kid, and thought that I would never see a tennis player to match him again in my lifetime. There are other pretenders (great in their own right), like Connors, Borg, McEnroe, Becker, Lendl and Sampras, but in my opinion, Federer, Nadal and Djokovic  have taken tennis to another level still.

Lets hope Murray retains his current form for a number of years and bags another few majors, but it won't be easy.

I wasn't at the O2, last week, but I was privileged to be at the recent GB - Argentina Davis Cup semi-final to watch Murray vs Del Potro, when Del Potro played sensationally well. Djokovic Raonic, Nishikori and Del Potro won't make life easy for Murray next year, that's for sure.

Djokovic appears to have lost some of his aura. I was surprised at the errors yesterday (they were not all 'forced') and also that as the match started to slip away he seemed to be struggling to get fired up. Looked a bit mentally tired to me. Commentators seemed to be alluding to personal problems in recent months. Not being a great reader of the gossip pages I was not sure about this. Murray however seems to be very happy and enjoying family life etc.

Murray looked hungry, precise and aggressive. In past matches against the very best he has been too passive; seems he has changed that now and he really believes he can dominate. Good for him. he has such a pleasing variety of shotmaking that I enjoy watching his tennis (if not his on-court persona).

Much as I admire Murray I am not sure he will ever really be on that first rank of Federer/Nadal/Djokovic. I guess we will see next year. Should be fun.

Bruce

Bruce Woodhouse posted:

Djokovic appears to have lost some of his aura. I was surprised at the errors yesterday (they were not all 'forced') and also that as the match started to slip away he seemed to be struggling to get fired up. Looked a bit mentally tired to me. Commentators seemed to be alluding to personal problems in recent months. Not being a great reader of the gossip pages I was not sure about this. Murray however seems to be very happy and enjoying family life etc.

Murray looked hungry, precise and aggressive. In past matches against the very best he has been too passive; seems he has changed that now and he really believes he can dominate. Good for him. he has such a pleasing variety of shotmaking that I enjoy watching his tennis (if not his on-court persona).

Much as I admire Murray I am not sure he will ever really be on that first rank of Federer/Nadal/Djokovic. I guess we will see next year. Should be fun.

Bruce

Bruce, I agree re Federer 100% (possibly greatest, most gifted tennis player of all time), Djokovic 90% (but let's see, as you say, what next year holds in store for Murray). However, I really would not put Nadal in the same category. A wonderful clay court specialist, but neutralise his brute power on other surfaces and he descends to the ranks of 'very good' rather than 'great'. I confess to having been a Murray sympathiser for many, many years. Not, perhaps, the greatest natural, gifted talent, but what dedication and work ethic! And, it has to be said, capable of simply breathtaking shots the equal of Federer at his best - he has, until now, simply lacked the mental toughness and consistency, of the best. 

My prediction, for what it's worth (very little, I suspect), is that Murray may well occupy the No.1 position for the next 2-3 years, reach a total tally of 10-12 Slams, and carve a niche as one of the best 5 tennis players of all time. 

Just thought it worth mentioning that Jamie Murray finishes the year as No 1 in doubles too. 

Nadal has won an awful lot of grand slams (and lesser competitions) on other surfaces than clay in fairness but for me Federer is the genius, the others are just in his shadow anyway!

Bruce

Bruce Woodhouse posted:

Just thought it worth mentioning that Jamie Murray finishes the year as No 1 in doubles too. 

Bruce

Indeed!

G

I think Novak, may well be struggling with motivation, and form, which is understandable, and Murray since getting back with Mr Lendl has gone up a level, which is great to see.