2012 US Open Champion: What Next For Andy Murray?

How Far Can He Go?

I don€™t expect Federer-esque achievements from Murray. Taking nothing away from the Scot, he€™s playing in one of the most competitive eras that Men€™s tennis has ever seen. Future Grand Slams are a certainty; he€™s shaped his body into something formidable, something that will be far too powerful for the other players on the circuit. I believe his greatest challenges, aside from the Top 4, will come from the new kids on the block, such as Milos Raonic. Perhaps it€™s not advisable to think like that; take every tournament one at a time is probably the best advice anyone can give him right now. If Lendl suggests it, I have no doubt Murray will listen; it€™s done him no harm so far.

End Of Year

With a superb summer of sports for Brits to cheer about, the Sports Personality of the Year should be quite an all-inclusive event with a whole host of options to pick from. Murray will, naturally, be one of the favourites. That is guaranteed, no matter what he does from now. He€™s made his nation insanely proud to stand behind him and this has never been in question. Yet, one more thing may really get his heart racing this year and that€™s the ATP World Championship, hosted at the end of each Tennis season and featuring the top eight tennis players in the World. The way the rankings are determined is down to points gained over the season. There are two tables to look at; one is the South African Airways ATP Rankings in which Federer currently leads, followed closely by Djokovic and Murray. This table represents the past 52-weeks of the tennis season, which means it takes into account matches and tournament results from 2011 as well. The South African Airways ATP Race To London on the other hand, represents the calendar season, in which the stats are slightly different. Djokovic holds 1st position, whilst Murray is straggling behind in 4th, after Roger and Rafa. Whilst this shows that Djokovic has had the best season out of the Top 4, Murray€™s impressive displays against the Serb at the Olympics and indeed the US Open certainly showcase his improved play. There are two Masters events left between now and the London End Of Year Championships, one in Shanghai and one in Paris. It€™s not up to me whether or not Murray plays them, but his place in the End Of Year tournament is very secure. Murray€™s rise up the rankings is unlikely to knock Federer off top spot but it€™s vital he keeps up the pressure on the other players and chases them to the end. Now he has his maiden Grand Slam, he€™ll be looking to establish himself at the No. 1 player in the world and what better way to top off this great year of sport than watching Murray storming to victory at the end of the year in London.
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Appreciates the finer things in life such as The Simpsons, yelling at the football, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, things that aren't True Blood, things that aren't Twilight. Doughnuts.