Welcome to Net Talk. This is our new section for tennis comment and analysis. As well as commenting on the latest issues in the game, I'll include links to things such as our regular betting tips. But I also want you to contribute. I'm happy to publish some of your comments and answer, if I can, any questions you may have about all things tennis. The email address is: tennisfeedback@sportinglife.com.
Suggestions are also welcome. The page will be regularly updated, so don't forget to check back soon.
Andy Schooler
ROBSON ON THE RISE - posted October 30
Today you can check out Mark Staniforth's take on Laura Robson's WTA Tour debut last week.
I have to admit I didn't see that match, but a British 14-year-old taking a set off a top-50 player in her very first top-level match has to be encouraging.
And certainly what I saw of Robson at Wimbledon this summer bodes well for the future.
If you have any thoughts on Robson and her potential, let us know: tennisfeedback@sportinglife.com.
MURRAY SCHEDULING SPOT ON? - posted October 29
Andy Murray aims to make it three ATP titles in as many weeks in Paris over the coming days, but is playing three weeks on the bounce really the idea before heading off to Shanghai for the season-ending Masters Cup?
I have to admit I was surprised to see Murray play in St Petersburg after his exertions at the Madrid Masters the previous week.
The more important Paris event was always looming, while then comes the Masters Cup.
Admittedly even if Murray does go all the way in Paris, he will then have the best part of a week before the Shanghai event begins, although of course one of the those days will be taken up by the flight from Europe to the Far East.
As it turned out, things could not have gone much better for Murray in St Petersburg where he claimed the title without dropping a set, while only Janko Tipsarevic (in the quarter-finals) really gave him any problems.
While it's possible to suggest that Murray may be a little too busy right now, it has to be said that his scheduling this season has been spot on.
A player who has been criticised for his fitness in the past, Murray has rarely looked tired on the tour this season.
His decision to skip the Davis Cup tie in Argentina back in February now has more justification than it perhaps did at the time - knee problems have not been a serious factor since - while the rest Murray gave himself after the US Open must be one of the reasons behind his current end-of-season surge.
Should that winning run continue in Paris this week, there appears a real chance that Murray will go off favourite for the Masters Cup and if that's the case the Briton - and his behind-the-scenes team - will deserve credit for their forward-planning.
Let me know your views on Murray's season. Email your thoughts to: tennisfeedback@sportinglife.com.
YOUR FEEDBACK - ON ANDY MURRAY - posted October 27
You can send more feedback on our articles, or your fellow posters, by emailing: andy.schooler@sportinglife.com.
Does this man (Mark Staniforth) have other qualifications where his opinions are better suited as they will surely be of more use there? Many of the articles written about Andy Murray have been more than a little tainted by jealousy, almost as much as articles written about Tim Henman have been written with more than a little fantasy. Most observers who actually know about the game of tennis will tell you that Tim Henman over-achieved in the game.
His record of six Grand Slam semi-finals, one Masters Series title and 10 other tour titles is outstanding. However, Tim was incredibly fortunate not to incur a serious injury until after 2004, precisely at the point when his game had peaked and the emergence of players who would find it much easier to combat Henman's game e.g. David Nalbandian for instance who has an excellent backhand return and is less likely to feel under pressure when Henman net-charged.
Tim Henman's game revolved almost solely on pressuring opponents hoping they would make a mistake, but unlike most counter-punchers of today, like Andy Murray, Henman did this from the net as opposed to the baseline. However, unlike Andy Murray, Henman had little else in his game to offer such that if any player in the top 50 played at their peak, Henman would lose.
Patrick Gibbons
It's some sections of the British public who have the problem - NOT Murray! Some, would prefer the 'trier' Henman, than the 'winner' Murray - very British mentality and pathetic quite honestly! What has Murray said that has been immature? He has always been honest and more to the point a true sportsman. There is one goal in tennis, as with most sports, to WIN. Murray's rather good at that - one hell of a lot better than Tim ever was!
Ben Abbot
Recently I told a friend of mine that the only obstacle for Andy Murray nowadays is elimination of Nadal and Federer whenever they meet in any competition. If Andy can beat either of them in any tournament, he will definitely reach the final of that competition. I can see Andy Murray closing the gap to the top ranking if he can beat the big three in next coming Grand Slams (Nadal, Federer and Djokovic). Anyway, he has been adapted to their style and tactics of playing, so I am sure he can now handle them.
Idris Wale, Edinburgh
MURRAY: BEST OF BRITISH? - posted October 23
Last week's victory in Madrid by Andy Murray sparked an interesting debate: should Murray already be regarded as better than Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski ever was?
Much has been made over the years of Britain's dearth of talent in this sport and if that situation isn't to improve on its current status we will end up looking back at the last 10 years or so as something of a golden period.
Not only has Murray come to the fore, but he is following in the footsteps of Henman and Rusedski. All three have reached a career-high in the ATP rankings but Murray now has the chance to improve on their efforts - neither won a Grand Slam title - and write his name in British sporting history.
The level of Murray's play this season suggests he is capable of that, but then there's always been a difference between potential and achievement.
While many labelled Henman a choker, there were plenty of people, including the likes of Pete Sampras, who rated him quite capable of winning a Grand Slam. His classic strokes and expert volleying were often lauded but the lack of truly big weapon cost him and he never did win at the highest level, four times falling in the semi-finals at Wimbledon alone.
Rusedski did have a potent weapon in the form of a big serve which on its day was capable of seeing off all-comers. It helped take him further than Henman ever got in the Slams, but he found Pat Rafter too good in the final of the US Open 11 years ago. Not always taken to British hearts due to the fact he was born in Canada, Rusedski also won more tour titles than Henman, although there is little doubt that his all-round game was not as good.
Which brings us to Murray.
The player himself got in on this debate in the wake of his Madrid win. Asked if he was the best British player since Fred Perry, he replied: "Tim was definitely much, much better than me. Over eight or nine years he was in the top 10, always playing well in Wimbledon, making the semi-finals in all the Grand Slams (except the Australian Open). I've only passed the semis once, I still have a long way to achieve what he did."
In fairness, had Murray simply replied "yes" then he would have taken the brickbats for being 'arrogant' and set himself up for a fall. As it was, his reply gave the media their story and kept some sort of lid on expectations.
However, the answer was also somewhat modest.
Still only 21, the current British number one has already surprassed Henman and Rusedski in terms of Masters Series titles (or equivalent) won, Madrid being the second of his career and indeed this year.
Thankfully his injury problems appear to have subsided this season with only minor niggles troubling him. That run of fitness has been reflected in his results and subsequent climb up the rankings. Given the chance to play regularly throghout the year, Murray has risen to fourth in the world with only Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic now ahead of him.
His crunching forehand is feared, while a quick look at the tour's stats proves he truly is one of the best returners in the game. With a pacy first serve - which admittedly could do with its percentage being raised a notch - also in his armoury, Murray really does look the real deal.
Of course, whether he can go on climbing the rankings, and more importanly win a Grand Slam, remains to be seen, but I rate his chances highly.
Federer is now 27 (few players are at the top past 30) and has certainly shown signs this year that, while still a fine player, his best days are behind him. And while you can only marvel at what Rafael Nadal has achieved this season, history shows that claycourters with his defensive style of game are highly susceptible to burnout.
And perhaps most encouraging for Murray is the fact he is proving he belongs at the top table. He's now consistently beating the best players - something Henman and Rusedski never did. He leads Federer 3-2 - and you can count the number of active players with a winning record against Federer on one hand - while Djokovic, a former nemesis, has been beaten twice this year. The record against Nadal is less encouraging but the nature of Murray's victory over the Spaniard in New York suggests it will improve (unless of course that meet on clay!).
There are those who remain wary that Murray could yet prove to be something of a flash in the pan. My fellow journalist, Mark Staniforth, is one of those as he wrote about in his column recently.
However, I don't subscribe to this theory. Yes, anyone's career could be brought to a shuddering halt by a serious injury, but aside from that I don't see a problem.
Murray looks one of the most determined individuals on a tennis court - his displays of emotion being a far cry from Henman's quieter approach - so motivation doesn't appear to be a problem, while he is definitely learning to shorten his points to avoid the aforementioned burnout effect.
To me, Murray looks ready to win a Grand Slam title. It was a case of close but no cigar in New York but Australia is rapidly approaching and given current form you'd have to rate his chances highly.
Sure, it may not happen but for me the smart money is on Murray going down as the best British player in post-war history.
Let me know your views. Is Murray the best or does he still have much to prove? Perhaps you rate Henman or Rusedski higher. Email your thoughts to: andy.schooler@sportinglife.com.
MURRAY RECORD
Grand Slam record - 1 final appearance (US Open 08)
Masters Series titles - 2 (Cincinnati 08, Madrid 08)
Total ATP titles - 7
Career-high ranking - 4
Davis Cup record - 9-5 (singles 8-1, doubles 1-4)
HENMAN RECORD
Grand Slam record - 6 SF appearances (Wimbledon 98, 99, 01, 02, French Open 04, US Open 04)
Masters Series titles - 1 (Paris 03)
Total ATP titles - 11
Career-high ranking - 4
Davis Cup record - 40-14 (singles 29-8, doubles 11-6)
RUSEDSKI RECORD
Grand Slam record - 1 final appearance (US Open 97)
Masters Series titles - 1 (Paris 98)
Total ATP titles - 15
Career-high ranking - 4
Davis Cup record - 30-13 (singles 20-10, doubles 10-3)
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