Robbie Koenig Blog: Murray Camp Quietly Confident As Oz Awaits
Well, what can I say other than that Andy Murray was too good in the Doha final against Andy Roddick last weekend. He was in a different class. Never at one stage in the match did it look like Roddick had a chance – that’s how good Murray played, and the scary thing is, he didn’t even get out of third gear!!!
I had a chat with Miles Maclagen (Andy’s coach) after the match and they are quietly confident about Melbourne and the year ahead (No surprises there!!! BUT the key here is – it’s all very understated and they realize there’s plenty still to be done.) Murray’s back strain is nothing serious, just the courts are a bit “grippy” and it takes some getting used to.
As for Roddick, I’ve enjoyed watching his attacking play this week. He came in a lot, but still needs to refine his tactics around the net. We’ll see if Larry Stefanki (his new coach) can highlight the adjustments or not….If not, I’m available! I always knew my way around the net!!
Hope you all enjoy the OZ Open.
PS: For any tennis fans out there who want a great “Player’s Experience” at a tournament, my fellow commentator Jason Goodall and myself are doing an excellent clinic, only 10 people max, at most of the Masters Series 1000 events on the Finals weekend (Sat & Sun morning). After the clinic, you can go watch the semis and finals match. We put on a great gig (we know the tournaments inside out!), and people love it, they want to bring their friends etc…. but we keep it small, so the experience is a special one! It’s a blast if you can make it!!! Post a note to me here if you are interested in joining us!
- Robbie
Robbie,
Do you think Andy Roddick has lost a little of his power? If Yes, what can he do to regain it?
As a passionate Scot it was terrific to watch Andy#1 demolish Andy#2, although that said Andy#2 will always be a former #1 and GS champion and that is what made Saturday so scary. It’s great to hear the back injury is treatable. Andy I understand spent most of December in Florida, would he have practiced solely on HC out there?
WOW! The ‘Player’s Experience’ sounds too good. I’d be well up for that. I’ve been to Wimbledon in 2002 (to see Nalbi & Yevgeny) and 2005 (to watch Andy (beat Bastl), and Fed twice) but otherwise I watch the Futures and Challenger (no longer
) events in Scotland including one this week very close to me which is way cool.
I have to agree with Jacksonille Dude on what that person said. Murray definitely is a very strong shot for the Australian Open title, but I wouldn’t put him as “the” favorite yet. A favorite is usually someone who’s won a Grand Slam tournament. Murray can have an umpteen-to-one winning record against a top player but until he wins a Slam that’s not too important.
Anyway it’s definitely true he’s got a great chance of doing that so good luck Andy.
Hi Rob:
Will you guys be doing clinic in March at Indian Wells? If so, love to join in. Please send me details of how to sign up (2 of us). We’ll be attending day the entire event day and night as we are both passionate about tennis. Hope to hear from you soon.
Stephanie
Hey Rob
Another great blog article. Andy is Nadals biggest threat to the number one crown this season as I’ve always said. The quicker surfaces in mens tennis these days are the most exciting in my opinion because there are just so many danger players. Its going to be great to see who comes out on top in Oz 09.
As we approach the second week I would have to say Rafa looks the most impressive out of the quad squad so far. Hasn’t got out of third gear and still winning easily. I know he hasn’t played opponents of the highest quality so far but it is his aggressive performances that are really making a statement. Each year it seems on the fast courts he stands a little further up into the court and looks a little more to dominate the points whenever possible. He is my pick for the tournament at this stage although it is such a shame that Rafa and Andy would meet in the Semis because I think that would be an unbelievable final.
The three frenchmen are the biggest threat to the big four at the Aus open this year I think. Simon, Monfils and Tsonga are the reason why people watch tennis and I absolutely love watching them play. All have slightly different styles, Simon the great counterpuncher with that unbelievable backhand down the line and Tsonga the flair player who can hit winners from the grandstand and really is a true cult hero with the crowds. Monfils out of the three has the most potential. His talent is absolutely unbelievable but his physical management on the court must be fixed because he kills himself out there for no reason. I really think he can be world number one one day because he has the most raw talent I have ever seen. The ultimate athlete in mens tennis.
Look forward to your next article Robbie keep up the good work!
Mike
I like your response Mike! It’s spot on. Monfils has to work on his mental game a lot more and rid himself of this “showman” label to a large extent, Not altogether though. Cos to win big events your mind has to rock solid, you CANNOT be inconsistent mentally and i think thats where Roger Rasheed will be a huge help! He’s a no nonsense coach.
Rob
Hi Stephanie, all the spots were snapped up pretty quickly for the Finals Weekend Clinic, but post a contact e-mail and I’ll stay in touch if there’s any cancellations.
Regards
Robbie
Hi Robbie: Real disappointed about the IW finals clinic. Shoot! Please do let me know how to sign up early for next year (stephpig@hotmail.com). Should I contact the tournament directly for info for next year?
One thing about Rafa at the AO–His forhand in my opinion needs to be flatter than it is now and was against Simon. I think this is an area where he can get hurt if he made it to the final. I think his serve is much improved, but the groundies can sit up in the strike zone of the top players. He should watch the Berdych-Fed match and get ideas about how he was hitting flat winners against Fed. Though I’d love for him to start the year right and win AO, I have to give the edge to Fed.
Lookong forward to hearing you and Jason soon…
Steph
Hi Robbie
To be honest I was slightly dissapointed in AO. May be because my favourites Gulbis, Simon and Safin didn’t went as far as I wanted, but there’s another reason. The tennis wasn’t spectacular as it was last year. Two fo the favourites Murray and Djokovic lost, mainly because of physical condition, they were tired.
Federer reached the final, but he didn’t show any enthusiasm. He looked tired mentally esp. in the final. Verdasc ? I don’t like him, he behaves like Nadal, has same top spin forehand, like Nadal he’s good at long rallies, he shows his emotions same way… Deja vu !
Rafa won, but he wasn’t the same as he was at olympics, Wimbledon, French Open…, tennis became a routine for him. I expect more from him in clay court season.
Daniel, thanks for the response. I think you are hard to please if you couldn’t get fired up about the Verdasco/Nadal semi…That was some unbelievable shot making from both players for 5 hours!! Wow, that was my thoughts. I understand your point about having your favourites, but the quality of the tennis, irrespective of who was playing, the mental effort of Nadal in the finals…PHENOMINAL.
I’ll have a word with Rafa and tell him he needs to up his game.( but i will duck immediately thereafter!)
You take care. You gonna be in I Wells or miami?
Rob
ok
Hey Robbie, is there any way you could get the tennis channel to have a live link so that people watching tv could email you their questions and comments? that would be great to be able to interact with you as your commenting in the booth or to answer our emailed questions…. just an idea. thanks again for your awesome analysis and commentary. Dave Z
Some of you have contacted me about whether or not Robbie is still writing for TennisGrandstand. The answer is yes he does. But it's just that he is currently on a very tight schedule but he should be back soon. Until then, keep commenting. I know he loves it
Manfred Wenas
Chief Editor TennisGrandstand