Three grand slam finals, three straight-sets losses. Andy Murray’s record in the biggest matches of his career is fast becoming a huge psychological hurdle.
The dour Scot was in tears after losing last year’s Australian Open final to Roger Federer, but Sunday night’s whipping by Serbian world No.3 Novak Djokovic was undoubtedly worse although, strangely, Murray said he was less distraught.
“It’s going to be tough for sure for a few days. You know, I want to try and win one, of course, but if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen,” he said.
“I’m just working as hard as I can. I train very hard, I take tennis very seriously.
“But, I love my life away from tennis, as well. That’s why maybe (I feel better) this year, compared with last, I’m very, very happy off the court.”
After a tight first hour against Djokovic – a friend and frequent practice partner – Britain’s great grand slam hope had a nightmare patch that handed the impressive Serb total control.
From 4-4 in the first set, Djokovic won the next seven games in quick time to take the opening set and a massive stranglehold on the second, while Murray seemed tentative and lost for ideas.
The Briton at least saved a set point to prevent a second-set whitewash.
And, to be fair, Djokovic, who also outclassed 16-time grand slam title-winner Roger Federer in the semi-finals, produced some sublime tennis.
The highlight was claiming his seventh break point to take a 3-1 lead in the final set, when the third seed had to virtually do the splits on the run to retrieve several shots, before clinching the break with a winner at full stretch.
“He played great. I mean, I would have liked to have played better. But I think he would have beaten every other player on the tour if he played like that tonight,” Murray said.
The desperate Scot threw in yells of anger, gestured at the occupants of his courtside box to calm down and broke a racquet in disgust late in the match.
He made a last-ditch stand to level the third set at 3-3 and force Djokovic to fight for his victory, but it was too little to turn the tide.
The pressure of trying to become the first British men’s grand slam champion since Fred Perry in 1936 is something Murray has tried to shrug off, saying his drive is personal, not a quest to make history.
And whether or not those words are completely true, the 23-year-old has plenty of time on his side.
But the pressure of his unenviable record in grand slam finals will continue to grow until – or if – he finally breaks through.
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