Andy Murray - The World No 1

With Milos Raonic pulling out injured of his semi against Andy in Paris it means Andy Murray has scaled the heights to reach the World No.1 ranking.

Andy has been at No 2 for so long and at last he is at the very top. All that hard graft, the hours of training, the years of toiling and competing, the big wins and hard losses but final Andy's moment has arrived.

His fellow pros are lining up to hail the new world No 1 after Djokovic. Great times Andy. Well done.

banbrotam wrote:

I think I'll join you banbro.

Bravo Andy! Just brilliant.

Congrats to Andy! Slightly anticlimactic way to do it.

By the way you say at no 2 for no long. What about all the time spent at no 4.

In some ways it feels slightly unsatisfactory to have a player holding 2 slams at no 2, and a player holding only one slam at no 1.

On the other hand most of Djokovic's points are from ages ago. If the rankings were from Wimbledon onwards Murray would be miles ahead.

Also, Murray had none even needed any points from the Olympics. If he'd got the 1,500 points he arguably deserved for winning an Olympics, he'd already be guaranteed not just number 1 today for a week, but the year end ranking. As it is, an interesting fight ahead for year end no 1.

Also with Djokovic having much more points to defend in the first half of next year there is a chance Murray could enjoy some more time at no 1 between now and Wimbledon.

A win in the final here at Paris would give a big boost in the race to year end no 1 also.

Undeserving accolade for a spineless individual. Bottles it against Djokovic relentlessly. Only for Djokovic to get injured and Murray to steal the top spot.

Another addition to an impressive CV.

Three Slam Wins

One Davis Cup Win

Double Olympic Champion

Eleven Slam Finals

42 ATP Titles

19th in all-time list of most ATP match wins in men's singles

One of only a handful of players to reached the final of all four slams

13 Masters1000 titles putting him 5th in the all-time list

And now......

W O R L D No 1

Someone who continually gets his ass handed to him by the Big 3 getting to world number 1 proves how farcical the rankings are.

28-55 against Big 3. A pathetic win rate of only 33%

Grow up Jermaine, Murray is fully deserving of that number one ranking after the year he's had.

Henman Bill wrote:...
In some ways it feels slightly unsatisfactory to have a player holding 2 slams at no 2, and a player holding only one slam at no 1.
...

To be fair this was also the case for a few months in 2013 (between Wimbledon and the US Open), with the two-slam holder also reigning Olympic champ

EDIT: just want to spell out this is not a dig at HB, whose post was thoroughly reasonable. Merely pointing out that this situation has occurred before, and that rankings reward consistency over a 12 month period, with greatest but not sole importance given to the slams.

Mad for Chelsea wrote:

Henman Bill wrote:...
In some ways it feels slightly unsatisfactory to have a player holding 2 slams at no 2, and a player holding only one slam at no 1.
...

To be fair this was also the case for a few months in 2013 (between Wimbledon and the US Open), with the two-slam holder also reigning Olympic champ

Spot on and in winning those tournaments Murray beat Djokovic in both slam finals and Federer on his beloved Wimbledon turf.

Jermaine2015 wrote:Someone who continually gets his ass handed to him by the Big 3 getting to world number 1 proves how farcical the rankings are.

28-55 against Big 3. A pathetic win rate of only 33%

Federer has a "pathetic" win rate of 32% against Rafa but was number 1 for many years. Was that also farcical?

Born Slippy wrote:

Jermaine2015 wrote:Someone who continually gets his ass handed to him by the Big 3 getting to world number 1 proves how farcical the rankings are.

28-55 against Big 3. A pathetic win rate of only 33%

Federer has a "pathetic" win rate of 32% against Rafa but was number 1 for many years. Was that also farcical?

Federer has 17 majors. Thank you and be gone.

Mad for Chelsea wrote:

Henman Bill wrote:...
In some ways it feels slightly unsatisfactory to have a player holding 2 slams at no 2, and a player holding only one slam at no 1.
...

To be fair this was also the case for a few months in 2013 (between Wimbledon and the US Open), with the two-slam holder also reigning Olympic champ

EDIT: just want to spell out this is not a dig at HB, whose post was thoroughly reasonable. Merely pointing out that this situation has occurred before, and that rankings reward consistency over a 12 month period, with greatest but not sole importance given to the slams.

And can I add (to Mfc's edit) that Lleyton Hewitt held down the world No.1 slot for an unbelievable stretch with a much less impressive CV than Murray has put together.

Hammersmith harrier wrote:Grow up Jermaine, Murray is fully deserving of that number one ranking after the year he's had.

Weak era. Big three achievements and decline only reason Murray lucked out as world #1

And the accolades are rolling in:-

Andy Roddick:- Congrats to @andy_murray on being the new world number 1! Much deserved accomplishment for him, and glad he got there. Long time coming !

Martina Navratilova:- Congratulations @andy_murray for reaching the pinnacle of our sport- #1!!! And that's not a hash tag- that is #1:).

Djokovic said yesterday: "He's definitely a player who deserves that.

"To see how he has raised his level in the last 12 months is quite extraordinary.

"We have known each other since very, very early days. We were, I think, 11 years old when we first played against each other. Undoubtedly, much respect for what he has done."

Boris Becker:- Congrats @andy_murray for becoming the new #1 @ATPWorldTour ! Welcome to a very small club of members being the best in their profession...

Caroline Wozniacki:- Congrats to @andy_murray for becoming the new world no 1! It's been a long time coming, so well deserved!!

Petra Kvitova:- Congratulations @andy_murray  on No.1! You worked so hard to get there the looong way. You are a true inspiration!

Magnus Norman:- Our sport has a new number 1. Huge congrats to @andy_murray and his team

Billie Jean King:- What a wonderful year for @andy_murray Congratulations on making history as the new #1

Nick Kyrgios:- @andy_murray u the man

Jurgen Melzer:- Congratulations @andy_murray for becoming #1!!so well deserved!!!

Ross Hutchins:- #1 in the world - Andy Murray  - a goal of decades finally achieved!! All those hrs training, all those wins and now the top spot!

Victoria Azarenka:- Big congrats to @andy_murray for becoming world 1! Truly deserved! History maker

Matts Wilander:- Congratulations to World #1 Andy Murray.  Well done....

Roger Federer:- We have a new king in town. Congrats Sir @andy_murray

He's clearly the best player in the world right now, so only seems right.

Depends on if Djokovic is declining or inured/unmotivated as to how long he holds it for. Personally I think Djokovic is in decline so expect Murray to hold it for at least a year. If Djokovic returns to his best form then expect him to get it back during the second half of next year.

I think physically and mentally it must be tough dominating like Djokovic did for 18 months. Murray has now been doing it for 6 months so see how long he lasts

Lovely touch by Andy Murray getting out onto court to play a ten point tie break with ball kids to entertain the fans who were deprived of a second semi today.

Two weeks, 20 weeks, 200 weeks (hardly likely !) - it doesn't matter how long at the top. He will always be referred to as a current/former world number one.
  OK, Andy has not had to contend with Rog for many weeks, nor with Rafa for a while, with Djoko also missing from time to time or in comparatively poor form. But there are no astericks in sport. You make your own luck and this is a well-deserved accolade for an extremely professional, hard-working guy.
  Be nice to get the win tomorrow to improve his chances of being year-end numero uno. I must say I thought that Djoko might even have had a shot at Rog's 237 weeks in succession at the top. That little record is now safe for quite a while. Incidentally, ATP site has Rog's total weeks at the top WRONG!

All credit and much-deserved congratulations to Andy Murray  

Could he ever have imagined, as a kid in those very early days on the quiet courts of Dunblane - so far removed from the bright lights & big stages of top level professional tennis - that he would go on to become the World's Number One player ....?

Jermaine2015 wrote:

Born Slippy wrote:

Jermaine2015 wrote:Someone who continually gets his ass handed to him by the Big 3 getting to world number 1 proves how farcical the rankings are.

28-55 against Big 3. A pathetic win rate of only 33%

Federer has a "pathetic" win rate of 32% against Rafa but was number 1 for many years. Was that also farcical?

Federer has 17 majors. Thank you and be gone.  

Which emphasises the ridiculousness of your first point of course. Seriously, stop wumming or at least come up with something original or clever.

sirfredperry wrote:Two weeks, 20 weeks, 200 weeks (hardly likely !) - it doesn't matter how long at the top. He will always be referred to as a current/former world number one.
  OK, Andy has not had to contend with Rog for many weeks, nor with Rafa for a while, with Djoko also missing from time to time or in comparatively poor form. But there are no astericks in sport. You make your own luck and this is a well-deserved accolade for an extremely professional, hard-working guy.
  Be nice to get the win tomorrow to improve his chances of being year-end numero uno. I must say I thought that Djoko might evenhave had a shot at Rog's 237 weeks in succession at the top. That little record is now safe for quite  while. Incidentally, ATP site has Rog's total weeks at the top WRONG!
 

Of course there's such things as asterisks in sports. When Murray's name comes up in the future, everyone will remember the big 3 and Murray only dipped his bread after the three ATGs started suffering injures. There was no possibility of Murray winning another major or getting to #1 with the best 3 getting taken out for him.

Congrats to Murray and his fans!

Jermaine2015 wrote:

sirfredperry wrote:Two weeks, 20 weeks, 200 weeks (hardly likely !) - it doesn't matter how long at the top. He will always be referred to as a current/former world number one.
  OK, Andy has not had to contend with Rog for many weeks, nor with Rafa for a while, with Djoko also missing from time to time or in comparatively poor form. But there are no astericks in sport. You make your own luck and this is a well-deserved accolade for an extremely professional, hard-working guy.
  Be nice to get the win tomorrow to improve his chances of being year-end numero uno. I must say I thought that Djoko might evenhave had a shot at Rog's 237 weeks in succession at the top. That little record is now safe for quite  while. Incidentally, ATP site has Rog's total weeks at the top WRONG!
 

Of course there's such things as asterisks in sports. When Murray's name comes up in the future, everyone will remember the big 3 and Murray only dipped his bread after the three ATGs started suffering injures. There was no possibility of Murray winning another major or getting to #1 with the best 3 getting taken out for him.

Sorry, J2015. Silly me. I should have written Andy Murray - World Number 1*.

I dedicate this to Andy today. Come on sing a long Jermaine:-



Or this:-



It's party time.

It is sort of unbelievable how Murray bridged the biggest gap between first and second place ever in the space of half a season.  But then again one must remember the points are only cumulative for one seasons worth of tennis.  

Murray over these past two years has put in more work than any other player - his commitment to the British Davis Cup effort has been unbelievable - playing three five setters over the narrow space of three days in each tie more or less plus his success in the non-points awarding Olympics.  

I think his Davis Cup participation where he often has to put himself through the grinder to get through three five setters on consecutive days on any surface, shortly after a lengthy ATP tournament which may be on a different surface, which does knacker him, has maybe helped him mentally get through tough matches when he is not feeling great.

Just been looking at Andy's points breakdown. Hardly got any points in Feb/March this year. It means that even if Djoko grabs back the number one spot that Murray has a good chance to get it back around IW/Miami time in 2017.
Although Fed's 237-in-a-row weeks at numero uno was gonna be a tall order for Djoko, he might still have broken - and could still break - the Swiss' 302 weeks at the top in total. That will be harder the more weeks that Andy can put in at number one.

sirfredperry wrote:Just been looking at Andy's points breakdown. Hardly got any points in Feb/March this year. It means that even if Djoko grabs back the number one spot that Murray has a good chance to get it back around IW/Miami time in 2017.
  Although Fed's 237-in-a-row weeks at numero uno was gonna be a tall order for Djoko, he might still have broken - and could still break - the Swiss' 302 weeks at the top in total. That will be harder the more weeks that Andy can put in at number one.

Before Novak thinks about rankings he needs to think about how he gets his motivation back. Until he rediscovers his hunger and love for the game then he will amble through tournaments with more early exits than finals and titles will elude him.

CaledonianCraig wrote:

sirfredperry wrote:Just been looking at Andy's points breakdown. Hardly got any points in Feb/March this year. It means that even if Djoko grabs back the number one spot that Murray has a good chance to get it back around IW/Miami time in 2017.
  Although Fed's 237-in-a-row weeks at numero uno was gonna be a tall order for Djoko, he might still have broken - and could still break - the Swiss' 302 weeks at the top in total. That will be harder the more weeks that Andy can put in at number one.

Before Novak thinks about rankings he needs to think about how he gets his motivation back. Until he rediscovers his hunger and love for the game then he will amble through tournaments with more early exits than finals and titles will elude him.

Is it motivation or is it something else? He cried at the Olympics after his loss. We need someone like Lydian to analyse his recent form to see if there is something lacking. I suspect his movement - that was his "superpower".

There's some talk of a possible parting of the ways between Djoko and Boris. Other rumours have been circling for months about Nole. All of this - including possible injuries - could be why he has been somewhat down of late

It is too early to say but Nadal relied on a "superpower" of ultraspin and movement.  Federer didn't have a "superpower" to his game. he relied on all round ability and his reading of the game.  Federer outlasts Nadal in terms of career longevity.

Now I am thinking that Djokovic relies on a "superpower" of movement (sliding on edges of shoes, hitting the ball doing half splits).  Murray doesn't have a superpower, he relies on "all round" ability, effort and his reading of the game.  So I am thinking maybe Murray will outlast Djokovic in terms of career longevity.

Nore Staat wrote:

CaledonianCraig wrote:

sirfredperry wrote:Just been looking at Andy's points breakdown. Hardly got any points in Feb/March this year. It means that even if Djoko grabs back the number one spot that Murray has a good chance to get it back around IW/Miami time in 2017.
  Although Fed's 237-in-a-row weeks at numero uno was gonna be a tall order for Djoko, he might still have broken - and could still break - the Swiss' 302 weeks at the top in total. That will be harder the more weeks that Andy can put in at number one.

Before Novak thinks about rankings he needs to think about how he gets his motivation back. Until he rediscovers his hunger and love for the game then he will amble through tournaments with more early exits than finals and titles will elude him.

Is it motivation or is it something else?  He cried at the Olympics after his loss.  We need someone like Lydian to analyse his recent form to see if there is something lacking.  I suspect his movement - that was his "superpower".

Definitely motivation. Novak himself said that after the euphoria of winning the French Open that he had strived so long and hard for to complete the set he felt flat. He felt what now? That is motivational. Now motivation is a huge driving force. It drives you to practice harder, train harder and work harder for wins. Lose that then you begin losing matches which then impacts on confidence and that aura of invincibility over opponents is lost.

If Murray wins the Australian Open - or if Djokovic doesn't defend it and then continues his mediocre form in the first half of the year - then there is even a possibility that Murray could be no 1 by quite a wide margin.

These things can shift on a small amount of results.

At the moment, you can say that there is little between Murray and Djokovic in terms of who is really the best and Murray just happens to be a few points ahead.

However if Murray wins the Australian Open he would have 2 out of the last 3 slams + Olympics with Djokovic having 0 out of the last 3 slams. If that happens you could argue that Murray was the better player by a wide margin, at least currently.

Ps Jermaine has it all wrong.  The issue is about weeks at number one, not number one itself.  Weeks at number one is more important as a career comparator than getting to number one itself.  Many players have got to number one, and many have been lesser players than Murray in terms of titles won, grand slam finals reached and competition faced.

Mind you it's worth noting that Murray's last head to head victory against Djokovic in a slam was Wimbledon 2013. Since then Djokovic is 5-0 in slams and 13-2 overall. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djokovic%E2%80%93Murray_rivalry

In the period that counts towards the currently ranking Djokovic is 3-1 and 2-0 in slams, however the last meeting was the French Open. It might have been different had they played since then, as Djokovic's form has obviously declined, and Murray done better.

Murray has not played Nadal or Federer since the French Open either of course, largely due to injuries in the case of Federer especially.

Murray has learned the trick that rather than barnstorming genius avoiding injury, being consistent, and your opponents having a dip or injury can be the key to number one. Something that perhaps helped Rafa Nadal to number one in 2008, Federer back to number one in 2009.

Murray's sheer consistency this year, with very few defeats to lowly ranked players, especially recently, has been impressive. Rather a contrast to his early career perhaps when he had a winning head to head against Roger Federer then bombed out in slams to 30 or so ranked players like Stan, Cilic, and Verdasco.

Probably that statement I made that Murray would be the better player by a wide margin if he wins the Australian Open would make more sense if he does it with a victory against Djokovic.

Jermaine2015 wrote:Undeserving accolade for a spineless individual. Bottles it against Djokovic relentlessly. Only for Djokovic to get injured and Murray to steal the top spot.

Strangely, Roger disagrees

https://twitter.com/rogerfederer/status/794963056165986305

banbrotam wrote:

Jermaine2015 wrote:Undeserving accolade for a spineless individual. Bottles it against Djokovic relentlessly. Only for Djokovic to get injured and Murray to steal the top spot.

Strangely, Roger disagrees

https://twitter.com/rogerfederer/status/794963056165986305

It could be a sickening attempt by Roger Federer to gain this years Stefan Edberg Fair Play Award and deny Murray with yet another deserving trophy.

Nore Staat wrote:

banbrotam wrote:

Jermaine2015 wrote:Undeserving accolade for a spineless individual. Bottles it against Djokovic relentlessly. Only for Djokovic to get injured and Murray to steal the top spot.

Strangely, Roger disagrees

https://twitter.com/rogerfederer/status/794963056165986305

It could be a sickening attempt by Roger Federer to gain this years Stefan Edberg Fair Play Award and deny Murray with yet another deserving trophy.

 

banbrotam wrote:

Jermaine2015 wrote:Undeserving accolade for a spineless individual. Bottles it against Djokovic relentlessly. Only for Djokovic to get injured and Murray to steal the top spot.

Strangely, Roger disagrees

https://twitter.com/rogerfederer/status/794963056165986305

Payback ;-)?

http://www.smh.com.au/news/tennis/djokovic-family-rejoices-after-clown-prince-novak-dethrones-king-roger/2008/01/28/1201369037088.html

CaledonianCraig wrote:Lovely touch by Andy Murray getting out onto court to play a ten point tie break with ball kids to entertain the fans who were deprived of a second semi today.

That was very nice of him

Really glad to see him attain the top spot...bit of an anticlimax having Raonic withdraw , as I am fairly sure Andy would have beaten him anyway , but in no way takes away from his achievement .
Be good to see him go on and win this tournament now as a sort of victory lap...

Looking forward to seeing what this run of fine form can lead to next year. Might be he has a decent shot at more than one major in 2017.

Nore Staat wrote:It is too early to say but Nadal relied on a "superpower" of ultraspin and movement.  Federer didn't have a "superpower" to his game. he relied on all round ability and his reading of the game.  Federer outlasts Nadal in terms of career longevity.

Now I am thinking that Djokovic relies on a "superpower" of movement (sliding on edges of shoes, hitting the ball doing half splits).  Murray doesn't have a superpower, he relies on "all round" ability, effort and his reading of the game.  So I am thinking maybe Murray will outlast Djokovic in terms of career longevity.

Very good analysis. Reflects my feelings and actually the historic records, in as much its usually te touch and feel all rounders who have several tricks up their sleeve, but crucially no signature shot, that have the longest careers

No I still stand by the reasons behind Djokovic's dip in form being motivational.

In the first half of the year all was hunky dory and he was the dominant force until he won what he had strived so hard for - the French Open. After that tournament win all of a sudden the balloon burst. His earliest exit at a slam for many years followed at Wimbledon, first round exit at the Olympics and more were to follow. It all stemmed from after RG and Novak himself has confessed that once the euphoria and delight of winning the French Open subsided he then felt flat and asking himself what now? He later spoke of himself having to get back to enjoying tennis. All motivational but now after defeats in matches he used to win it has knocked confidence as well.

"It is too early to say but Nadal relied on a "superpower" of ultraspin and movement. Federer didn't have a "superpower" to his game. he relied on all round ability and his reading of the game. Federer outlasts Nadal in terms of career longevity.

Now I am thinking that Djokovic relies on a "superpower" of movement (sliding on edges of shoes, hitting the ball doing half splits). Murray doesn't have a superpower, he relies on "all round" ability, effort and his reading of the game. So I am thinking maybe Murray will outlast Djokovic in terms of career longevity."

Er.... Fed doesn't have a ''superpower'" whilst Nadal has? I thought Fed relies heavily on his serve and that's his "superpower"? Or his sliced backhand? Talking about longevity, how do you know Nadal won't play for a few more years and retires after Fed? Toni said Nadal is good to play for another four years, thanks to improvement in medical science. Nadal's knees seem to be in good conditions now, his back too thanks to stem cell treatments.

As for Djoko, his "superpower" is in his ROS, and also his changing the direction of the ball at will, and his balance on both wings. You talked as if Nadal and Djoko don't have a complete game or a complete set of tools. In fact they are the ones who rely more on point constructions, reading the game well and so engage in long rallies than going all out to attack. Fed is more an instinctive player and prefers to be the one who attacks and be in control rather than reading the game and formulating plans.

Murray said it himself, he loved watching Nadal's tennis as he could learn about his point construction tennis. To say that both Fed and Murray read the game but exclude both Nadal and Djoko from that doesn't make sense. Murray's "superpower" is in his ability to change pace, his ROS is also his asset, his anticipatory skills too (not unlike Nadal's).

All four of them have great movements and speed, just moving in different ways, the quickest is still the peak form Nadal (moves like snake on grass, slides beautifully on clay and changes direction quickly) - Fed skips around like a gazelle, Djoko slides around, Murray simply runs but anticipates well and so often has time to spare to get to targets. Just my thoughts.

Oh, congrats to Murray for reaching no.1, well deserved for the efforts and hard work put in besides playing brilliantly.

banbrotam wrote:

Jermaine2015 wrote:Undeserving accolade for a spineless individual. Bottles it against Djokovic relentlessly. Only for Djokovic to get injured and Murray to steal the top spot.

Strangely, Roger disagrees

https://twitter.com/rogerfederer/status/794963056165986305

As does Rafa:- Congrats to my friend @Andy_Murray on becoming World Number One!

Certainly well deserved, especially on the last 6 months - hopefully he can keep going like this next year and get a few more slams

Fingers crossed

Good way to celebrate too, with his eight title of the year!!

So where does this put Murray among the all-time greats of British sport ? Few, I guess, would argue that Andy is ONE of the greatest and it could be argued he is THE best.
  It's always difficult to compare eras and different sports. Some of those vying for the Brit GOAT would include Jack Hobbs, Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton and Ian Botham. Some might like to chuck the likes of Steve Redgrave and some of the more-recent Brit Olympians into the mix.
   Much of sport is of a domestic nature. But tennis players, in effect, are playing World Cups every week, with the GS being Super World Cups. Thus you're pitted against the world's best all the time. You can't sit on the bench for a match or two. If you're injured you lose points and ranking. The tour is relentless.
  Andy is now top of this particularly tough heap. He's set himself apart from his fellow players - and possibly apart from his fellow British sporting greats, past and present.

For Britain he has ... more or less won the Davis Cup single handed, won two Olympic gold members, successfully defending his title won in 2012.  Plus I think he won an Olympic silver medal with Laura Robson.  He has also won Wimbledon twice and has won the Queens tournament a record number of times - five.

Plus all the other success ... US Open winner, huge number of Grand Slam finals, masters titles, ATP 500 titles ... during a time in Tennis when it has been at its strongest globally - with three all time greats playing.

He is definitely One of the greatest and ARGUABLY the Best.  Of course "arguably" means "never provable".  In terms of "The Best" there are some female tennis players of yore, some athletes, and some cyclists that are definitely alongside him.  I'll give a shout to Beryl Burton, Mo Farrah and Graeme Obree (refused to take drugs when joining a Tour de France team and was kicked off team for "this" "unprofessional attitude").  There are some people who are "bigger" than their sports ...

Good article from The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2016/nov/05/andy-murray-mens-no1-tennis-compare