Murray Mauls in Madrid
As British tennis is faltering as a whole, there is one ray of sunshine who surely plans to dominate the world. A step to this dream has been taken as Andy Murray is back to his best.
Back from a heartbreaking injury which left him out of the French Open and Wimbledon, Andy Murray has shown his courage and determination to play his best ever tennis in Madrid on Monday. His opponent, Radek Stephanek, a former top 10 player was crushed in straight sets, 6-4 6-1 by the machine that is Murray.
With his array of drop and passing shots, he breezed through to the second round and has set up a meeting with the Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela who is currently sitting one place above Andy in the rankings at 16th. Although Murray had been at 8th in the rankings in March after excellent performances in Miami and San Jose, the injury he sustained in Hamburg forced him down the list.
Since 2003, Andy has been the ray of sunshine within British tennis as age brought about the retirements of Greg Rusedski and Tim Henman. He is currently the only British player in the top 100. This emphasises the state of British tennis as a whole. It seems that our children do not have the determination and commitment needed for this sport compared to France and Spain which have 24 men in the top 100 between them.
This will surely result in our British Davis Cup team falling at the next hurdle as they prepare to keep their place in the World Group with a match against Argentina. Andy can not be expected to hold this country's team by himself but as a comfort, has his older brother Jamie, a specialist doubles player will be with him battling for his country. The other singles player who will be playing is Alex Bogdanovic who currently sits just outside the top 100. Andy Murray's coach, Brad Gilbert has helped Alex aswell as Andy over the past year and a half.
As Murray prepares for his second round bout tonight, he is looking ahead to the possible third round meeting with World no.2 Rafael Nadal. This will be revenge for Murray as he was knocked out of the Australian open earlier in the year by the classy spaniard.
If John Lloyd (captain of British Davis Cup team) does not help to sort out failing British tennis soon, who is going to be left after Murray? And who will help British tennis stay on a world stage presuming Andy Murray achieves what he is capable of?
With his array of drop and passing shots, he breezed through to the second round and has set up a meeting with the Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela who is currently sitting one place above Andy in the rankings at 16th. Although Murray had been at 8th in the rankings in March after excellent performances in Miami and San Jose, the injury he sustained in Hamburg forced him down the list.
Since 2003, Andy has been the ray of sunshine within British tennis as age brought about the retirements of Greg Rusedski and Tim Henman. He is currently the only British player in the top 100. This emphasises the state of British tennis as a whole. It seems that our children do not have the determination and commitment needed for this sport compared to France and Spain which have 24 men in the top 100 between them.
This will surely result in our British Davis Cup team falling at the next hurdle as they prepare to keep their place in the World Group with a match against Argentina. Andy can not be expected to hold this country's team by himself but as a comfort, has his older brother Jamie, a specialist doubles player will be with him battling for his country. The other singles player who will be playing is Alex Bogdanovic who currently sits just outside the top 100. Andy Murray's coach, Brad Gilbert has helped Alex aswell as Andy over the past year and a half.
As Murray prepares for his second round bout tonight, he is looking ahead to the possible third round meeting with World no.2 Rafael Nadal. This will be revenge for Murray as he was knocked out of the Australian open earlier in the year by the classy spaniard.
If John Lloyd (captain of British Davis Cup team) does not help to sort out failing British tennis soon, who is going to be left after Murray? And who will help British tennis stay on a world stage presuming Andy Murray achieves what he is capable of?