Alix Ramsay: Murray knows what suits him – and it's not posing as a City gent

Published on Saturday 21 November 2009 19:39

AS ANDY Murray, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin Del Potro, Nikolay Davydenko, Fernando Verdasco and Robin Soderling lined up for yet another photo-shoot, they looked slightly ill at ease.

It was the last, big promotional push before the start of the Barclays ATP World tour finals and the eight men were lined up in front of a bright red, double-decker bus as the photographers snapped away. Some were clearly happier in their Savile Row suits than others but all of them seemed anxious to get the formalities over with and get back to work.

Together, the eight men form a very exclusive boys' club. Membership is strictly limited and must be renewed annually; this is for the very best of the best and proof of eligibility must be provided with results, grand slam trophies and a clearly defined position at the top of the rankings list.

They were even wearing a club tie as they posed – a quiet little green number with a tennis ball embroidered on it. In the middle of the ball was the word "love" with an arrow through it. There will, however, be little love lost between the eight once the tournament begins today. Respect, definitely; admiration and comradeship, yes. But love? No.

There is, potentially, 1 million available to the winner but, more valuable than that, there will be the knowledge that the champion has beaten one of the world's best in every round to claim the trophy. Love does not come into it.

"All of the guys that were there today," Murray explained, "we can all chat with each other, we all get on pretty much well. There's not really too many feuds in the locker room. I don't think there's anyone who's a bad sportsman."

That all sounded well and good but then someone dared to mention that Federer, he of the 3-6 losing record against the Scot, had claimed that he had worked out how to beat the world No.4. Did he understand or agree with Federer's argument?

"No," Murray said simply but clearly. "We'll have to see when we play against each other. Every time I've played against him, each of us has done something different and, this year, I've got the better of most of the matches we've played. If we play, maybe I'll do something different that he doesn't expect."

Murray will have to play Federer on either Tuesday or Thursday in the round robin stage of the competition and will then, in all likelihood, have to play him again if he is to win the trophy. But, first of all, Murray must play Del Potro, the 21-year-old US Open champion, today in the opening singles match.

As last year's finalist and as the No.2 seed, Murray seemed to be well placed to win his first grand slam title at the US Open this year. But then a combination of a wrist injury and Marin Cilic got the better of him in the fourth round, Del Potro went on to beat Federer in the final and suddenly the vultures started circling over Murray's reputation. Was the Scot really as good as he said? Was he not being overtaken by the younger men? "I think I'll win one (a grand slam]," Murray said. "Maybe more than one. And we've just got to wait and see. It's like, 'he's 22-years-old, oh, let's start panicking. It's not going to happen'. Everyone's saying, 'oh, Del Potro won a grand slam so early in his career'. He's one year younger than me. But everyone's saying I'm old. I was very, very close at Wimbledon this year to getting to my first Wimbledon final and then you never know what might have happened."

What Murray is not so keen on is the tournament calendar. The London event is the last on Murray's schedule before the winter break. But he will allow himself only a week at home before heading to Miami on 6 December for his off-season training block.

From there, it is straight on to Australia and the start of the new season. But Murray's sympathies are reserved for Nadal and Fernando Verdasco who both have the Davis Cup final to face once they are done at the O2 arena.

"I feel worse for someone like Rafa or Verdasco," Murray said. "They've got to play the Davis Cup and finish on the 6th. Speaking to him before, Rafa was like, 'yeah, I finish on the 6th and start practising on the 8th'. That's not right in any sport."

It was fighting talk from Scotland's finest. He may not be at his happiest when posing for the photographers and doing his bit for the publicity men, but he does know how to win tennis matches. And once the suits, ties and smiles have been discarded this afternoon, it will be every man for himself.