Andy Murray is mentally stronger than first thought
Physically Andy Murray is one of the strongest on the ATP tour, however, the same can’t be said about his mentality. On numerous occasions the Brit has succumbed to Djokovic as his lack of clear thinking resulted in some questionable performances. Frank Dick, the high performance director for the South African Olympic Committee, once said Murray was technically more superior, but is ‘desperately emotional’ in his matches.
Those criticisms are certainly ones that has frustrated by the Murray camp, however, he has hit back to them in the best possible way. Following his unbeaten grass-court season, the Brit became the first man in history to win back-to-back Olympic singles titles. Rio was certainly a test of Murray’s mentality. He was forced to overcome setbacks against Fabio Fognini and Steve Johnson to win in the early rounds. Then in the final, he outlasted del Potro in a four-hour epic.
“Emotionally, it was tough, physically it was hard. So many ups and downs. It was one of the toughest matches I played to win a big event.” Murray said shortly after winning gold at the Olympics.
The best way to measure Murray’s improvement in his mentality will be the US Open at the end of the month. If he plays Djokovic in the final, it will be interesting to see how much of an effect his Rio performance has had on his belief.
Tennis is a mental game and for Murray it is one that he is starting to win more often.
