andy murray

Andy Murray: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

Andy Murray Roils Up Some Tennis Balls

What he said:

"If you asked a golfer to change balls every single week, they’d be hitting balls 20 yards too far and hitting shots all over the place."

Andy Murray takes aim at the differences in tennis balls used for various tournaments.

Murray set the ball (pun unintended) rolling with his comments on Tuesday, 11th October, 2011 at the Shanghai Masters.

Rafael Nadal chimed in —on Wednesday:

You play in Bangkok with one ball, in Tokyo with another ball, here with another ball. That’s too much in my opinion. (It) is dangerous and can cause injuries.

Something must change because is too dangerous for the shoulders. You cannot change the ball every week.

Nadal was almost magnanimous claiming that he would accept less prize money as long as he does not have to give in to sponsor demands to use their spheroids.

I am very happy to win less money and have my health.

If we compare the Tokyo ball with this one (in Shanghai), it was much bigger, slower. The ball is completely different. This ball is very fast, it goes small and doesn’t stay on the racquet. It flies a lot and is tough.

Nadal relented somewhat conceding that it was not necessary to have one standard ball the whole season.

For example, when you start the clay-court season, you have the same ball for that period; when you have the American hard court season, you have the same ball. So that’s positive.
But what cannot happen is to have one ball in Rome, one ball in Madrid, one ball in Barcelona… That doesn’t work.

What Murray really meant:

“It’s not as though we’re dancers on court—a slow dance, tango and then salsa. Can you imagine that?”

What Murray definitely didn’t:

“Goodness gracious great balls of fire!”

Andy Murray: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

"Try being a British player going into a Grand Slam. It’s not easy."

Andy Murray shrugs aside the ‘nerves’ question in the press conference following his gritty win over India’s Somdev Devvarman in the first round at the US Open.

Murray clarified his statement:

“It was a little bit of a joke, a little bit of truth in it. I think for anyone that sort of wants to go on and win a slam or, you know, feels like they’re in with a shot, you know, I think it’s natural to start.  You know, you put a lot of effort and preparation into getting ready for these events and, you know, you don’t want to get off to a bad start or whatever. I think nerves are a good thing.  I think it shows you care and that, like I say, I put a lot into getting ready for it.  I hope my game’s going to be there and the hard work pays off.”

What he really meant:

“The weight of expectations from the press (you guys) is heavy on my shoulders. I’m stooped before my time.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Let’s grab Tim Henman and get him to elaborate further.”

Otto, the German Shepherd, analyses the US Open men’s draw

My dog, Otto the German Shepherd, is a tennis nut.

“You haven’t analysed the men’s draw for the US Open. Today’s the 27th and the tournament begins on the 29th.” pestered Otto.

“I know. I’ve just been a little wrapped up in other things.” I reply, tiredly.

“But you have to do the men’s draw. That’s like manna for tennis followers.” insists Otto.

“Oh, I’m sure, they are multiple draw analyses floating around the internet. The smart ones can visit USOpen.org and figure it out themselves.” I attempt to fob off my companion.

“But that’s not the point, is it? It’s good for you too. You can’t follow the US Open without delving into the draw. It’s like going into a dark night without a torch.” Otto is a member of the local debate club.

Continue reading →

Q & A with Novak Djokovic (Humour)

1) The retirement in the final at Cincinnati to Andy Murray was…

Unfortunate. I had shoulder pain. He didn’t.

2)  Are you going to be donning a blonde wig again, anytime soon?

You enjoyed that? He he he.

3) Maria Sharapova said she’d prefer it if you were wearing a skirt while mimicking her…

It’s about performance meeting style. My performance, her style. He he he.

4) Maria says she’ll be  scripting a commercial too, to get her own back…

The more the merrier…

5) 57-2. Thoughts on that?

64-2 soon. I hope. I’m no machine and certainly not mechanic.

Disclaimer: The interview is fictional but the character(s) are real.

Otto the German Shepherd puzzles over the US Open

My dog, Otto the German Shepherd, is nonplussed.

“Who do you think will win the men’s US Open title this year?”, he barks at me.

I am none-too-pleased at being drawn from my morning cuppa while catching up on the funnies in the paper.

“Why do you want to know?” I growl back.

“I need to know because I need to know.” replies Otto.

“Your guess is as good as mine.” I respond.

Continue reading →

Will Roger Federer continue his descent from the totem pole?

Roger Federer won his last major in January 2010 in Melbourne at the Australian Open.

The six majors that followed were divided among two bionic contestants, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

The Spaniard claimed four, the Serb two.

Has the Swiss truly fallen by the wayside?

Continue reading →

David Lloyd: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

 

What he said:

"If you look at Nadal, Djokovic and Federer when they come on the court, they have a demeanour.They are exceptionally well-dressed and clean-shaven. Andy doesn’t come on like that."

David Lloyd, former English Davis Cup captain, feels that Andy Murray lacks an on-court presence unlike his rivals, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

What he really meant:

“I really don’t feel a beard suits Murray but since I’m not qualified to talk about fashion sense, I’ll just link that to his lack of Grand Slam wins.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I love Bjorn Borg.”

Andy Murray: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

‘It’s hilarious. It happens three or four times a match. I don’t find it amusing.’

Andy Murray is not amused that some fans think it a gag to start a ‘Come on, Tim’ chorus whenever he plays at Wimbledon—an obvious reference to his predecessor Tim Henman, who made four Wimbledon semis without making a single final.

What he really meant:

“Aw, come on, chaps. Tim’s retired, besides he never got to a Slam final. I have three appearances.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Now, you know why I grew a beard this year. I was hoping they wouldn’t recognise me and leave me alone.”

“You do know, it’s not called ‘Henman Hill’ anymore.’Murray Mound’, it is!”

Andy Murray: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

"I think it’s about time she stopped that nonsense. Makes me want to throw up. It’s disgusting,"

Andy Murray is disgusted that his mother, Judy, named his hitting partner and quarter-final opponent, Feliciano Lopez, ‘Deliciano’, a moniker that stuck. Murray embarrassed his mother by then telling Lopez that his mother thought him ‘beautiful’ and asked for a picture of them together.

What he really meant:

“You’re embarrassing me, Mother. Stop.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Why couldn’t she come up with a nickname like that for me or Jaime?”

Andy Murray: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“If I’d known they were coming, I would have shaved (smiling). I was thinking to myself as I came off I was sweaty and very hairy. I said to them, I’m sorry, I’m a bit sweaty.”

Andy Murray was unaware that the Royal Couple, Prince William and Kate Middleton, would grace his fourth round match against Richard Gasquet. He would have have shaved his straggly beard—had he known.

What he really meant:

“Grimy, sweaty, beardy, and now I have to curtsey?”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Where’s my Gilette razor?”