Mike Maclagan, Andy Murray’s coach, is confident there is much more to come from the player. The biggest change he has noticed this year, other than Murray’s physical improvement, is subtle: “I think he’s found his game style, he’s pretty clear on that,” he says. By Steve Bierley.
If there was an understandable sense of disappointment after Andy Murray’s 7-5, 6-2 loss to Russia’s Nikolay Davydenko in the semifinals of the Masters Cup, following his brilliant victory over Roger Federer the previous day, it lessened when he reflected on the year’s overall achievements. “It has been awesome. If someone had told me at the beginning of the year I was going to be No. 4, play my first slam final and beat Roger Federer three times, I would have taken that.”
Not that there is an ounce of complacency in him; more a mountain of competitiveness. “He can’t help himself, in the best possible way,” said Miles Maclagan, Murray’s coach who took over from Brad Gilbert just under a year ago. “I’ve been fortunate through working with Andy to see a little bit more of Federer and Rafa Nadal at close quarters and they have an unconditional competitive streak inside them. Andy has this unyielding competitiveness, too. It’s the overriding characteristic of these top guys.”
In a few days’ time, after a short holiday in Miami where he bought a property this year, Murray will begin pounding the track and pumping iron. “He worked hard last year but I think he’ll be looking to go to another level. It will be tough,” said Maclagan, who had no regrets after the Davydenko defeat.
“You’re disappointed when you go out there and you don’t give it everything you’ve got. Andy didn’t have as much left over as he’s had on some other nights but he gave what he had.” Maclagan is confident there is much more to come. The biggest change he has noticed this year, other than Murray’s physical improvement, is subtle: “I think he’s found his game style, he’s pretty clear on that. It was partly me learning how he should play. After every single match, whether he’s won or lost, he’s come off the court and said: ‘We’re going forward.’ Obviously every good player would like to make more first serves and do a bit more on the return. But I don’t see any problem areas in his game. It’s just a question of taking everything to maybe half a level or a level better.”
Murray’s success — five titles including two Masters events, and his US Open final against Federer — almost crept up on Maclagan without him noticing: “I’m pretty low-key in style but when Andy suddenly got to the US Open final I thought, ‘Holy smoke, as far as coaching is concerned, this is the sort of thing you dream about.’ Sometimes me and the other members of the team have to pinch ourselves.”
Just before Murray split with Gilbert his mother, Judy, emphasised the importance of having people around him with whom he could get along. In Maclagan, the fitness coaches Matty Little and Jez Green and the physio Andy Ireland he has the perfect group.
“When you’re practising, competing and having fun it’s just like we are five guys travelling around the world with a few tennis games interspersed,” Maclagan said. When Murray feels comfortable off the court he plays well; when he is uncomfortable he plays less well. And since Team Murray came together in Miami last year, he has been playing well.
There are, of course, areas that can be improved. Murray’s first serve lacks consistency and his second serve is attackable. “He’s probably similar to Roger in terms of pace, but Roger hits the spots really well, so Andy could find a little bit more consistency and accuracy,” said Maclagan, who clearly has Murray’s trust. “My respect for Andy has grown over the year, especially in the last few months.”
Next year promises a fascinating tussle for the major prizes between Nadal, Federer, Djokovic and Murray, with this quartet currently considerably ahead of the rest. That emphasises the leap forward Murray has made this year.
© Guardian Newspapers Limited 2008
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