Since Murray’s abysmal quarter final exit at the hands of Grigor Dimitrov, there have almost been as many conspiracy theories as there have been complaints at the bad light from players at this year’s SW19. Andy Murray: Wimbledon 2014 was certainly one to forget for the reigning champion.
What has sparked all these far-fetched theories was not the result of Murray’s match, but the manner in which he was defeated. Of course Dimitrov played well; he is experiencing some of the best form of his career and put up a great fight against Djokovic on Friday, but Murray made it considerably easier for him by how mentally frail he was throughout the course of the match. Murray chuntered to his box at numerous stages and constantly slapped the frame of his racket against the turf, the same turf on which he won his Wimbledon crown a year ago. Yes it was Centre Court, the same place he heroically battled for the title last year. But it may as well have been on a different planet. The crowd was mostly subdued and only really got behind Murray in the second set which, in all fairness, was closely fought. However, once the second set finally swung the way of the Bulgarian and he led by two sets to love, there was only one way the third set pendulum was going to swing. And I think that was reflective of the way Murray mentally went about things during the match. I wouldn’t go as far to say he wasn’t trying, Murray always puts in 100%, but when things weren’t going his way he became irritable and impetuous. He put in the effort physically, but maybe not mentally.
So many are now asking: what made Murray give up his title defence so easily? So carelessly? Well the fact that Murray and his girlfriend, Kim Sears, left separately has caused some speculation.
Additionally, Amélie Mauresmo was seen sprinting up the steps to the players’ box just moments before the players came onto Centre Court, so some are suggesting that she may have been caught out by the unexpectedly early start time due to Simona Halep’s snappy completion of the second set and the match. Murray, who gave the spectators near him a running commentary as well as a game of tennis, was heard saying “five minutes before the f—— match.” Could something have gone on pre match?
Personally I don’t think an off-court incident was what caused Murray’s quarter final capitulation, or at least not fully (but it makes a good story). Clearly, Murray was just not in the right frame of mind. I don’t think he believed he could win. I have not played a tennis match carrying anywhere near the significance and magnitude of a Wimbledon quarter final, but I have played big matches at junior level and I suppose it is all relative. When I have doubts going into a match, I find it is very easy to slip into the mind-set of not fully immersing yourself into the match as a result, not getting fired up for it as you don’t believe that you can win, and the prospect of victory is what fires any sportsman up for a match.
Now I would have thought Murray, with all his experience and the fact that it was a Wimbledon quarter final, would not have allowed this to happen, but that seemed to be what happened. As former World No.1 Mats Wilander said, “Andy was flat”. “He hit an overhead winner, and then he sort of slumped over and turned around and went back to the baseline. It was lethargic, there was no reaction”, Wilander said after the match. This aptly symbolises Murray’s lack of involvement mentally, in the match. Also, if something happens before a match that causes a player to become frustrated or upset, it tends to be the case that that mind-set is transferred on to the court. It makes you more vulnerable in giving in to your anger, and less likely to stay strong mentally when going through a tough period in the match, less likely to stay resilient. Although I am curious as to what caused Murray’s performance, I think the media shouldn’t be inspecting his personal life in an attempt to find answers. Because, no matter how careless last year’s Wimbledon champion looked on court during the match against Dimitrov, his defeat will have hurt him and he won’t want his personal life put under scrutiny over his performance. As soon as he would’ve left the grass of Centre Court behind him, he would’ve realised what an opportunity he’s just thrown away. I don’t think any of us can really comprehend the mental pain, the regret, which Murray will have right now. It will have wounded him deeply. So the question now is, how long will it take for Murray’s wound to heal?
Thank you for reading. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.
For the latest sports injury news, check out our friends at sports injury alert.
