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Robbie Koenig: Murray Fulfills Potential I First Saw At Age 16

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Andy Murray Sunday – and through the week – played the kind of tennis that showcased the talent that I always knew he had. I played him in a first round doubles match in Nottingham when he was 16 and I was playing some of my best tennis around that time with my partner, Chris Haggard, who had one of the trickiest lefty serves on a grass court you could ever imagine. But this young 16 year old kid that I had never heard of, or seen before, carved us up on serve like I’ve never seen before. He made Chris and myself look like ameteurs for a set, but thank goodness his partner managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory for them, otherwise we would have packed our bags early that week. Naturally from that day on I watched the results of this kid from Scotland.
I watched the meteoric rise to top 10, but the top 5 was the benchmark. This past 12 months frustrated the hell outta me, when he lost a  lot of matches he should have one. But he’s finally come of age. He’s finally got that mental strength, to compete with the very best. Wimbledon, Toronto and in Cincinnati proved that! Its about doing it CONSISTENTLY. That’s the key to being the best.
This is a kid who know’s exactly what he wants in all areas of his tennis.
He’s so humble in everything he does, this guy doesn’t understand the word “showboat ” and takes everything in his stride.
This guy is a real athlete in every sense of the word. I think he’s second only to Rafael Nadal in athletic ability on the court. I hope he continues to build on his success. He’ll be a great addition to the ” Quad Squad ” ( Nadal, Fed, Djoko and Murray).
To all the readers, please don’t hesitate to ask me any questions or to comment on things. I will gladly be of assistance.

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Comments

  1. Is Robbie Koenig the South african guy that does the masters series tv tennis commentry?
    Loved his commentry he sounds so into it my favourite quote:
    ‘Great clarity of thought from Murray!’
    If not does anyone know who it is?

  3. I agree, Robbie. Cincy was a big win for Murray. He improved greatly over the last 6 months or so. And while I am still not 100 percent convinced that he has what it takes to win 7 straight best-of-5-set matches in a Slam, his stamina is definitely improving. I like the name “Quad Squad”, we should really market it! It would be a great addition to the game…

  4. Hi Robbie!
    You and Jason Goodall do a fine job on the Masters Series matches. It’s a dream to see a Scot in the top 6, it was a dream to see a Scot in the top 150 but that goal was achieved with some ease, well it was almost inevitable after Queen’s 2005 even though that tournament only took him to about #300.
    My question is what’s your thoughts on how he plays his forehand? For me, he comes up from the shot too early. Would you expect this to have an impact on how far he can progress on a clay court?
    He already plays like a top 5 player on all of the other surfaces and it would be the beginning of something really special to see him become a top 5 player on the clay.

  5. KENEY101 : Thanks for the compliment! Thats me….I had the privelidge of playing tennis professionally for 14 years (would have played till 80 if i could!) and really enjoy the transition to commentating. I absolutely love the sport and glad it carries over to you at home….i’m still learning to get better at the commentating and always trying to improve. I’ll try to keep you happy….get on my case if i ever lose that enthusiasm. Thanks again for the kind words!
    JACKSONVILLEDUDE : Sharp comment! I can tell you know your tennis with those few words. The Cincy win is a huge boost MENTALLY and PHYSICALLY for Andy. Myles McLagen( Andy’s new coach, also a good friend of mine) has done a great job in the mental dept with Andy since he came on board. He’s been very patient and is now getting the best outta Andy. Lets keep an eye on him at the US Open…..Nadal may be tired, Fed is not playing his best and Murray has beaten Djoko the last 2 weeks???
    PGGTIPS: I like the screen name!!! Can’t beat a cuppa PG Tips and Milk chocolate Digestive’s, while watching some tennis! Good tennis knowledge, you’re right about Murray’s forehand and him pulling up. That occurrs mostly when things get close and he gets a little tight and defensive…..He starts to drop the forehand short and he’s toast against the better players. BUT when he’s AGGRESSIVE with that forehand its a great shot! So as far as i am concerned, he just needs the mental discipline, when things are tight, to keep going after the forehand. And that apply’s to all surfaces. And you are exactly correct, cos if he does get it right, he can mix it with any of the ” Dirtballers” on a regular ( thats the key, regular!) basis. Especially so on clay, cos its not his best surface and he’s not as comfortable as far as movement goes. So he must be aggressive with the forehand and move foward ( and not “back” as you suggested) which will help him to dominate the rallies and thats when he plays his best tennis!
    PS: My grandmother was from Glasgow…i’ll try to keep the commentary neutral!

  6. No question, Andy is only going up and up from here. My prediction is that he will get to the semis of the U.S. Open. Just like he won his first Masters Series, he will now get to his first Slam semi, which is awesome progress.
    And no doubt, he will beat Nadal one day. It’s just a matter of time. He’s getting there match by match. One of the greatest things about Andy is that when he plays Nadal (or anyone for that matter), he is absolutely not intimidated in the least sense of the word. That attitude, along with the recent improvements in his game, will go a a long way.
    And there can be no question that this U.S. Open is absolutely the most wide open Slam we have had in years, ever since Federer first took on the number 1 spot. Because, as Robbie mentions, Federer really has not been playing well since Wimbledon – he’s playing like he did the year 2000!
    This U.S. Open is going to be very exciting for the fans, as it is so very open this time!!

  7. Thanks Robbie!
    I absolutely agree with you about the mental discipline aspect. When Federer was up against it during the Wimbledon final, what was amazing was when he had a chance on the forehand he still went for it and 95% of the time, he made it but Nadal was also disciplined in continuing to go to Federer’s backhand and not be intimidated by the fact that Federer was hitting winners with the forehand from the backhand corner.
    Much obliged for the fast response and good luck for the US Open and the remaining Masters Series.
    Slainte
    PG

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