Murray Comes of Age

A premature headline? Another plucky Brit loser? I don't think so. 


Let's be clinical and think about outcome and process. The outcome was incredibly close: Djokovic winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-7, 6-1, 7-5.


Process Goals
In my previous blog I highlighted 4 process goals that Murray needs to focus on, as he starts to work with Ivan Lendl. Lets assume these were also Murray's process goals, and review how well he stuck to and executed them:


1. Commit to being an all-court, aggressive baseliner, rather than a counterpuncher.
Look back at Murray v Roddick, Wimbledon semi 2009. It's 1-1 set all, tie break set point to Murray, who is committed to a counter-attacking game-plan, and then misses short ball opportunities that allow Roddick to seize the initiative.




Now look at Murray this time, physically stronger, and with far more agression and intent.        The highlights clip from the Aussie open only partially do him justice, but the match stats do.

Lets start with winners: 47 Murray to 49 for Djokovic - showing a real commitment to attack. All through the tournament Murray stood further up the court, closer to the baseline in rallies and well inside it at times, taking opponents' second serves much much earlier, and demonstrating his outstanding aggressive ability. 


Secondly lets look at unforced errors. Paradoxically I think Murray's high error count of 86 is a long term positive. Time and again in this match, when Murray lost the point, he was making 'good mistakes' - going long when forcing the play, flattening out his shots to give Djokovic less time. Higher risk, but potentially much higher reward for Murray as he gets better and better at becoming a dominating baseliner.  


The days of being a 'safe' counterpunching Grand Slam winner are over. The physicality, racket technology, strings, technique and aggressive mentality of the top men and women mean that the aggressor has too big an advantage. Even Nadal is having to flatten out some of his shots and speed up his serve to put Djokovic on the back foot, and have a chance of winning.

2. Increase his 1st serve %, especially in key points.
Murray has taken a leaf out of Federer's book in varying the pace of his first serve and making a significant increase to his ability to hold serve. His top speed delivery at 215 kph was 12 kph more than Djokovic and Murray used it to great effect several times in saving break points. 

3. Increase the speed and penetration of his 2nd serve.

This is still a big development area for Murray. At all levels of tennis it can be said, "you're only as good as your second serve". And at only a 30% winning % on his second serve, with 10 double faults, there is clearly work to be done. It will be interesting to see how new coach Ivan Lendl approaches this over the coming weeks and months.

4.Commit to staying mentally positive.

We have no idea about the conversations between Lendl and Murray in this area, but this was the area in which his behaviour in terms of body language, self talk and communication with his box has improved most powerfully. Gone were the rants at his box, which in the past have almost said "help me, I'm out of my depth". If up to 70% of communication is non verbal, then the positive demeanour that is so much the hallmark of Federer, Djokovic and Nadal, shouts loud and clear "I'm in control, I'm ready, I'm up for this", even "I've got your number." 

The Future
The fascinating thing about the Lendl influence is how much Murray seems now to be committing himself to process goals, which he articulated after his win in Brisbane, stating his aim now was "working hard and focusing on the process and not worrying about results".


It will be fascinating to see how well he does this over the long run. I've a feeling that with Lendl in his corner, Murray will continue to prosper, pick off the process goals, and indeed the Slams will come.