With the US open starting on Monday, fans of the sport are getting excited about who will claim the final Major of the year.
With Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray having shared the previous three Major titles, the US Open is a shootout for who will make 2013 theirs.
Although the winner may not necessarily end the year as the World Number 1, players and fans alike know this it is Major titles and not ranking points that matter most.
With an Australian player unlikely to progress to the round of 16, it is fair to say that most fans will have their favourite players stemming from the current crop at the top of the men’s game.
For years it was all about the graceful style and incredible technique of Roger Federer that won admirers the world over. Ask any tennis purist and they will purr over his single-handed backhand whilst explaining why you are witnessing the greatest player of all time. He is arguably Switzerland’s most famous sportsman ever and a great ambassador for the country.
Then came Rafael Nadal, the next ‘greatest player of all-time’ in waiting, bringing him with a new muscular, all-or-nothing approach on to the court. He could generate spin like no other and he managed to win over a whole new set of admirers, creating a fan base of tennis nuts and teenage girls alike. He ticks all the boxes of a great champion both on and off the court. He is always charming and modest, and you would struggle to find anybody that does not like the man.
Next up came the new face of tennis – the freakishly athletic and seemingly tireless Novak Djokovic. The man who can slide on his ankles at ease and will never, ever give up no matter how beaten he appears. A proud Serbian, he is another wonderful ambassador and champion of tennis who has won over fans as much for his fun personality as his supreme tennis ability.
And then came Andy Murray. He has reached the final of the last four Majors he has played in and the defending champion is arguably favourite for the US Open, especially coming off the back of his recent Wimbledon victory. There is no doubt that he is a fine tennis player; so just why is he so hard to like?
Compared to the other great champions, he has no unique, never-seen before qualities. His interviews are monotonous. His answers are dull. His on-court presence is so negative, it is sometimes like watching a petulant child be told to go to bed early.
He won his first Major in dramatic fashion after 5 long sets after four agonising Major final defeats previously. But did he drop to his knees? Was he overcome with emotion? No, he was too preoccupied with finding his sponsors watch so that when he lifted that trophy he would collect his bonus. His first words to his Mum were not those of gratitude for anything she has done for his career, but of blame, ‘Where’s the watch?!’, like it was her fault.
On winning Wimbledon, the tournament he had grown up dreaming about winning, with a nation behind him, he again struggled to win with the grace and humility the fans wanted to see. After seeking permission, he eventually climbed up into his supporter’s box and just about managed to find the time to hug his Mum after being directed to do so by the crowd’s encouragement more than anything.
It’s almost as if Andy Murray doesn’t want us to like him, like he doesn’t even care if we don’t like him; and for that, I actually respect him.
He goes against modern tradition that dictates you must always be polite and gracious in interviews, that you must do as the fans please and fall to your knees overcome with the emotion every time you win a major title, that as a Champion you are not expected to swear at yourself or kick the turf in disgust at your latest shot selection.
Andy Murray simply doesn’t care for the media, he doesn’t care much of what the fans think of him either, he simply loves playing tennis. He plays a tournament, tries to win and then wants to get home to his girlfriend and their dog. He is actually a perfectly normal, good bloke and I hope that more people can see through his next on-court tantrum and remember that he is simply going about his business better than any other player currently can.
Whether it’s aces or races, try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp for great odds and a great punting experience. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Alex de Minaur has missed out on the chance of a lifetime to beat Rafael Nadal on clay in successive tournaments, blown away by…
Former Wimbledon champion, double grand slam winner and Australian Open finalist Garbine Muguruza has announced her retirement from tennis at the age of 30.…
Rafael Nadal has hailed the brilliance of Alex de Minaur, calling him "a great player" after the Australian forced the Spanish legend to say…
The clay season promises to be one of high level and tight margins. With the Monte Carlo open just around the corner, it will…
In incredible scenes, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz's quarter-final clash with Alexander Zverev at Indian Wells was halted abruptly due to a "bee invasion." Less…
Marathon man Jordan Thompson has finally clinched his first ATP Tour title, with the Australian upsetting Norwegian Casper Ruud to lift the trophy in…
