CAMELOT FANTASIES

Excellent post, Emma. 

I was saying the other day somewhere or to someone that if Andy wants to improve that serve he should give Sampras a call. But maybe he is not available.  As far as mentality, I don't know. It really looked like Lendl had improved that during his stay. Andy was noticeably not complaining to his box and seemed to have better control of himself, and was more aggressive on his shots, but it seems he has reverted to his previous style and comfort zone. Maybe it's something that needs constant reinforcement, or maybe it's just him and he can't change his stripes. Who knows? But I agree that it's doubtful that Mauresmo can help with those things, or was even hired for those purposes.

Respectfully,
masterclass

Hola masterclass, I am not sure if any of Murray fans noticed it today but Andy served a few aces or unreturnable serves on crucial points that really helped him to stay on par with Robredo especially in the 2nd set. But quite unfortunately, these fans, while they acknowledge that Andy's got an inconsistent 1st serve and a weak 2nd serve, I have never seen them ever to suggest to hire someone like Sampras. Very rarely, especially the die hard fans and the fans who think 'anyone with a great serve must then be a servebot' a flawed logic therefore, understand this most crucial aspect of the game. They are even afraid to come out and say that Andy is, in fact, the weakest in the mental department of the top four.  They really don't need to look any further than Nole who btw is significantly mentally stronger than Murray.

Quite unfortunately, Andy himself belongs to that group. He grew up idolizing Agassi and he still does I am sure. It's evident in the appointment of Mauresmo. While he did the smartest thing by hiring Lendl, this just feels the opposite, especially when you consider that it's Andy's serves and lack of confidence that's constantly letting him down post Wimbledon and you are left with wondering how Muaresmo, of all people, is going to help Andy in those two crucial points.

In fact, Andy is now literally taking baby steps to go back to where he used to be. I mean look at us. Both Andy and we are now so happy that he won a 500 event beating an almost 33 year old Robredo (though I shouldn't say this since Federer is also 33 and still one of the top players) - a year ago we couldn't have foretold this. But sadly it is the ultimate truth now. It's sad that both Andy and most of his fans don't realize this.

Anyway, Sampras is not available in the sense Andy would have wanted him for sure. That's actually the main reason why both Lendl and Andy parted way as Lendl couldn't commit the number of weeks Andy would have liked him to commit. Mauresmo is willing to give that to Andy. The best Sampras could have done is to be there with Andy in all GSs. And the Miami training would have be then move to where Sampras is right now.  The least he could have done is train Andy for 3 months in his house and teach everything he could possibly teach to Andy. Andy needs a great set of serves and a deadly mentality. His mind needs some serious discipline and Sampras could have helped him with that. Sampras also could have helped him to come to the net more often and be more aggressive. Andy's passive mentality is something that needs some improvement. Andy has a lot of potential and had he fallen into the right hands, he would have achieved much more by now, but a series of bad decisions really kept him away from that.

But if Andy himself doesn't realize that and wants to make his life difficult then there's not much one can do about it. The truth is, Andy's goal is not as big as Sampras' or Federer or Nadal or Nole for that matter and that's why he is where he is. And one can't change this until it comes from the very person.

Was Amelie any helpful in Andy's match today? I hardly think so. I love her but that's the truth. The level of difference between men's tennis and women's tennis is night and day and a woman coach - no matter how big she is or was as a player - will never be able to understand that difference; therefore, will never able to contribute much or anything at all. Perhaps all Andy is looking for at this point is some emotional support and Amelie can certainly provide that.