By Erik Gudris | Saturday, November 8, 2014
"Bad Year".
That's what Andy Murray wrote across a camera lens at the Paris Masters soon after qualifying for the ATP World Tour Finals in London. Known for his dry wit, Murray admitted later it was his response to those who often viewed his efforts this season as poor by both Murray's and their standards.
"I don't tend to do that often, but, look, it's been a hard year, a tough year, but it hasn't been a bad year," Murray said last week in Paris about his on-camera message.
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Hard and tough are two perfect adjectives to describe Murray's season. Murray did reach the quarterfinals of three majors and posted another career best semifinal appearance at Roland Garros. Yet Murray, who returned to the tour after having back surgery late last year, often never played or looked his best on court until after the US Open. Murray's lengthy stretch having not won a title since his Wimbledon glory in 2013 also had some wondering if he had perhaps peaked in terms of his potential.
Then there were the off-court criticisms as well Murray had to deal with. His hiring of Amelie Mauresmo as his coach earned him praise but also scorn from some only because of Mauresmo's gender.
Yet, it was Murray's Twitter message in support of a referendum that, had it passed, would have made Scotland an independent country that earned him perhaps the most criticism at home. Murray later regretted the message and in a pre-event press conference in London said he hoped he could win back those local fans who may have not forgiven him.
"There's always been good support when I play here and at Wimbledon and Queen's Club so I hope that's the same," Murray told Reuters. "But if not I will do my job regardless, put in my best effort and hopefully win back some fans this week."
Perhaps some of that lingering doubt Murray felt coming from home might have been part of his inspiration to pull off his resurgence this fall? Or maybe Murray felt the pressure of being behind in the race for London qualification and knew that if, he didn't make it, fans who wanted to see him there would feel disappointed as well?
Whatever it was, Murray certainly got down to work.
He won his first title of the season in Shenzhen by saving five match points in the final to Tommy Robredo. After the Asian swing, Murray picked up his second title in Vienna over David Ferrer.
Then, Murray defeated Robredo again - saving five more match points against the Spaniard in the final - to claim a hard earned title in Valencia.
Those efforts from Murray helped seal his berth in the year-end event for a seventh consecutive season.
Murray's return to London, that once looked uncertain, will make him the home crowd favorite again. But what will Murray bring to the event this time? Will he play perhaps with no expectations on himself knowing that his efforts just to get there was perhaps the greatest reward? Or will he seek to prove something to himself, and to the crowd, that his best tennis is yet in store?
Of all the players entering London, Murray again has had to deal with more scrutiny and more expectations placed on him all season long. Now that the year is almost at an end, it's fitting that Murray himself, and no one else, gets one more chance to define it on his terms.
Season Highlights:
Win/Loss Record: 58-18
Winner: Shenzhen, Vienna, Valencia
ATP World Tour Finals Best Performance: Semifinals 2008, 2010, 2012
(Photo Credit: Getty)