Tennis great suggests key change Andy Murray should make as he references Novak Djokovic
Mats Wilander has suggested that Andy Murray should try to change his game by playing more aggressively after his disappointing opening round defeat at the 2024 Australian Open.
The former world No 1 highlighted the fact Novak Djokovic’s forehand is “much harder now than it was 10 years ago” and feels Murray is one of the players tennis is “passing by.”
Murray suffered a one-sided straight-set loss to Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the first round of the Australian Open on Monday, leading to questions over the three-time major winner’s future in the sport.
Many observers have called for Murray to adopt a more high-risk playing style given he no longer possesses the elite speed, endurance and defensive attributes he had before his hip injury.
The 36-year-old has seemingly been either unable or unwilling to implement more aggressive tactics, though, as he has repeatedly been embroiled in long and physical battles in recent years.
Wilander pondered whether Murray should try to adjust his approach, while also claiming the flat feeling the Brit experienced in his latest defeat could ultimately be what makes him retire.
“I mean, I think we all went through it at some point,” the seven-time Grand Slam champion told Eurosport.
“As long as he’s interested in practising and as long as he’s interested in preparing 100% the same now as he was before, then of course you can start talking about tennis has moved in a direction where guys are most probably, in general, stronger, fitter and faster than they were 15 years ago.
“Everybody hits the ball harder. Can Andy Murray, should Andy Murray go out there and try and maybe change his game slightly, maybe hit the ball a little bit harder? Risk missing a little bit more? I think that’s most probably what Novak Djokovic is doing.
“But more than anything, how does Novak Djokovic do that? He is there for every match, he is up for every match. But then we look at statistics with him, his forehand is much harder now than it was when he was No 1 in the world 10 years ago.
“Murray’s game – the tennis is sort of passing by some of these guys, which happens to absolutely everybody. But to me, I really missed being on the court, enjoying myself. Practising was always fun, but you’re so relaxed.
“But when you go out there and you’re flat, that’s just a terrible feeling. And that’s most probably what, in the end, is gonna do it for Andy Murray. Not winning, but feeling flat.”
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