Andy Murray has never been known for a charming on-court demeanor, but were his tactics in Monte Carlo disrespectful, or simply those of a man doing his job?
The dour Scot has one of the most intense yet fiercely tenacious personalities on the ATP Tour, so it comes as no surprise that it was an issue in his third round match against Gilles Simon in Monaco that drew the ire of the parochial French crowd.
Early in the second set, Simon badly twisted his ankle. Despite some heavy strapping, and his determination to play on, it was clear the Frenchman was ailing.
Recognising the weakness in his opponent’s condition, Murray peppered Simon with an array of delicate drop shots. The world No.4 took the match 6-3 6-3, but understandably won no fans in Monte Carlo as whistles and jeers rained down upon the court.
Was the 23-year-old’s tactical change unsportsmanlike, or was it merely intelligent tennis?
Murray showed little remorse on court, even grinning at times as he appeared to revel in the role of pantomime villain.
Speaking after the match, he said: “I wasn’t bothered at all. I was doing what I had to do. Every player on the world tour would have done exactly the same thing. I wasn’t doing anything wrong.”
Gallant and diplomatic in defeat, Simon said, “You play to win.”
That’s precisely it.
When a player steps on court at any event, let alone an ATP 1000 tournament, the will to win seizes control. That’s the mentality of any champion, or in this case, a player who aspires to become a champion.
Do we criticise the cheetah for running the wounded antelope off its legs, or do we whistle and jeer because he’s refusing to leave the door ajar for his dinner to escape?
While most of the debate has been centered on Murray’s strategy, we must consider how Simon would be forced to adapt after sustaining a mobility-limiting injury.
Any player when faced with this circumstance must throw caution to the wind, open their shoulders and go for their shots. Sometimes, this actually works and an injured player suddenly can’t miss, blasting winner after winner off one leg at the back of the court.
By forcing Simon to cover every square inch of the clay, Murray denied the Frenchman any chance of finding a rhythm.
And let’s be frank: Murray has been in atrocious form, having until this week failed to win a set since the Australian Open semi-final. This includes losses to Donald Young and Alex Bogomolov Jr, in a dismal trip to the United States.
So who can blame a guy for wanting to get the job done as quickly as possible and focus on the fourth round?
While it didn’t make for the best viewing, Andy Murray did what had to be done in the quickest, coldest and most efficient way.
Credit to Simon for playing to the bitter end, but nobody should blame Murray for employing the tactics of any consummate professional.
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