By Benjamin Snyder
The chances for Andy Murray to win a Grand Slam, not unlike Arsenal’s own prospects at a Premier League or Champions League win, are shot. For Murray, the latest disappointment comes at the hands of World No. 1 and winner of the last three major tournaments, Novak Djokovic. For the Gunners, Manchester United posted the team’s newest setback by a score of 1-2.
The Scottish World No. 4, who took on eight-time Grand Slam champion Ivan Lendl as coach recently, now suffers a 0-3 record in Grand Slam finals. He’s reached the semifinals on six other occasions, proving he has the talent.
This time, however, may add a little more insult to injury; the match against Djokovic was supremely close. Murry held two break points on the Serb’s serve at two sets apiece and five games all. Regardless, he couldn’t convert at the most crucial moment. This latest loss at the Sunny Slam comes after a three set thrashing from Djokovic in the 2010 Aussie Open final.
Murray, no stranger to critics in a country without a major champion since Virginia Wade’s 1977 Wimbledon win, said: “You’re always going to have people that doubt me and say, ‘He’s not that good’ and ‘He’s not as good as them’. I am aware that I still need to prove some things and win a match like this. It was so close.”
He remains positive this year, stating that the year’s goal is to claim the No. 1 spot from Djokovic.
Meanwhile, World No. 2 and 10-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal took aim at Murray. He said: “The level is there. When you are able to play how many, five Grand Slams in a row playing semifinals or final, it’s only a mental thing.”
Although Arsenal’s loss on January 22 was nowhere near their horrendous 8-2 routing by Manchester United in August. It cement their current lackluster No. 5 position in the league.
Even beloved Manager Arsene Wenger, according to a recent Globe and Mail article, isn’t safe from the effects of the loss. It reads: “For so long a hero to Arsenal fans, manager…Wenger was jeered during last weekend’s 2-1 Premier League defeat against Manchester United.”
While Murray’s battle is one of mostly mentality at this point, Arsenal simply has been suffering too many injuries to contend for the Premier League title. In fact, according to the article, the team’s “been playing without specialist fullbacks since early December.” As a result, teenagers Nico Yennaris and Ignasi Miquel are being forced to fill in the open spots in upcoming games.
It’s been seven years without a trophy for Arsenal, and no Grand Slams for Murray in his eight years as pro. If things are going to change, the best time to start is, well, now. Otherwise, both will remain target practice for the top talent in their respective sports.
PHOTO/BROOKS ELLIOTT
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Sorry, but comparing a tennis player to a football team is about as facile as you can get. And getting as close to beating Djokovic as Andy did in Melbourne is actually and indication that he’s made huge progress towards his goal. Unlike football, tennis is a knockout game. In that semfinal just a couple of points going the other way would have made it Murray’s, and arguably he got closer to winning than Nadal did in the final. Undoubtedly, Andy lost focus in the 4th set and that may ultimately have cost him the match – so it’s a matter of better mental control next time. But he has shown in the last year that he’s the one most likely to beat Mr Superman Djokovic, who is apparently pretty well unbeatable by all the rest.
Murray’s draw was a joke. Had Novak been properly rested the match would’ve been over in 4 sets most likely.
What the hell are you on about joe, that actually hampered Murray as he hadn’t played any of his best Tennis until coming up against Novak, and you don’t want to start cold against a player like him.
Andy has once again stepped up a notch, he has always had the ability and the shots (only Federer has more than Murray) but he has not had the mental toughness. Getting back into that final set showed he is well on his way to achieving that, despite barely spending any time with his new coach