Andy Murray reached yet another grand slam Final on the 27th after beating Milos Raonic. Murray will play his 7th career grand slam final against Novak Djokovic who is arguably in the best form of his life.
There is no doubting that the Scotsmen has had a fantastic career winning two grand slams titles and becoming Olympic champion. For so long though it looked like Murray might become just another Henman, with the weight of a nation on his back and never really being able to deliver.
Murray never had the best relations with the press either. After jokingly admitting that he would ‘’Support whoever England were playing against’’ at the 2006 world cup he lost the support of a host of English fans.
Despite the comment being in a joking context it was pulled out of him during an interview with Tim Henman in 2006. ‘’I was still a kid, getting things sent to my locker like: I hope you lose every Tennis match of your life.’’
At 19-years old it might have been something the English press wouldn’t seize upon or make a big fuss out of. But we know what they’re like. In fact, the grand slam winner had to release a statement saying he wasn’t ‘Anti English.’
Since that comment Murray continuously struggled with the press. Every quarter-final and semi-final loss he would be very noticeably referred to as ‘Scottish’ and with every victory he would be back to ‘British.’
It wasn’t until 2012 that the grand slam winner really got some support back.
Hiring coach Ivan Lendl made a big difference to the crunch points of his game. Murray would go on to lose the Wimbledon final in heart breaking fashion to Rodger Federer, he broke down crying in his post-match interview thinking he had ‘let everyone down’ It was the low point of his career having reached three slam titles and then missing out on the one he most craved.
Later that summer was possibly the turning point for Andy. The Scot who had come so close against Federer, beat the swede in the Olympics final on centre court, winning gold for Great Britain. ‘’ It’s number one for me – the biggest win of my life.’’ Said Murray. ‘’I have had a lot of tough losses in my career and this is the best way to come back from a Wimbledon final.’’
Olympic champion is still the one title that is missing from Federer’s CV as he was wiped off his feet by Murray who elegantly swept him aside in a straight sets victory.
He went on to win silver in the mixed-doubles the same day with Brit Laura Robson.
Despite the disappointment of Wimbledon Murray went from strength to strength winning the US Open in a climatic final against Novak Djokovic. The gold medallist went two sets up before being pegged back to two sets all. He eventually came through in the deciding set winning his first grand slam title in just under five hours.
It had been a whirlwind 2012 for Murray with his worst loss and best wins coming in the space of three months.He finished the year ranked as world No. 3 the first time in his career, also being given the honour of an OBE.
2013 would prove to be a huge year for Andy as he reached the Australian Open final again unfortunately losing to Djokovic who would regain the title following the loss in 2012.
But it was in the summer where he finally achieved the ultimate credit. Murray faced Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final overcoming the Serb in straight sets. Despite the score line it was a very tense final with neither player being able to take command of the game.
After winning his third Championship point Murray turned and celebrated at the press box which he later said was because of the trouble the media had given him.
A Davis cup with Great Britain has arguably been his greatest achievement since 2013 which the team won in 2015 and was the first time since 1936. He has been the best player Great Britain have had for nearly a century. With his wife Kim Sears expecting their first child in February it will be fascinating to see what 2016 will bring for Murray and if he can add to his two slam titles.
