View Full Version : At what point did you realise andy was gonna be this good
daveollie
11-09-2012, 18:09
I'm new to this forum but it seems to me that most of the members on here have, like myself, backed Andy to the hilt even when the rest of the world were doubting/unfairly criticizing him. But there must have been a stage during Andy's career that you guys thought 'hang on a minute, this guy's gonna be a real champion'. Was it the comeback from 2 down v Gasquet, or maybe the Rodick win at Wimbledon.
I have memories of Murray beating Schrichapan in Thailand and also an early demolition of Henman. I can remember thinking that the Abyss that was post Henman/Rusedski was dissapearing and this guy could well be better than the pair of them, hopefully that feeling will return in 5 years or so with a new youngster but for now we have Andy to get behind and enjoy, and that'll do for me.
Maza1987
11-09-2012, 19:11
Hard to pinpoint it.
Perhaps when he reached his first atp final at the age of 18 and played Fed in Thailand.
Probably after he won the US Open Junior Grand Slam at such an early age.
DaveArneRiise
11-09-2012, 20:56
Against Nalbandian at Wimbledon.
Mandiemoo
11-09-2012, 21:19
I first saw Andy play when I watched him on TV against Thomas Johansson at Queens in 2005. He lost that match but I'm sure he had set point in the first set but lost it on a tie break. He won the second but lost the 3rd, suffering from cramp & an injury to his ankle, hardly moving at the end. Something clicked in me during that match, the way he fought & how he played, so different to Tim & Greg.
I knew from then he was something special & there began my journey as a Murray fan, a long journey with many twists & turns but ultimately joyous & happy!
greatunclebulgaria
11-09-2012, 21:24
the comeback from 2 down v Gasquet
daveollie
11-09-2012, 21:27
So you guys have been keping the faith for years then too. Ha ha, somehow I think the dissapointments over the years made last night all the more special.
Madeline
11-09-2012, 21:50
This good? I think when he gave Fed (who was almost invincible at the time) a close match in Bangkok. But I said when I first saw him at Queens 2005 (I had followed his junior career in "Serve and Volley" magazine but never actually seen him), that he was going to be a top player. My husband thought I was mad so I have been treating him to a lot of smirking since the Olympics and this USO.
daveollie
11-09-2012, 21:53
A lot of doubters are having to change their views on Andy agter this summer, haha.
This good? I think when he gave Fed (who was almost invincible at the time) a close match in Bangkok. But I said when I first saw him at Queens 2005 (I had followed his junior career in "Serve and Volley" magazine but never actually seen him), that he was going to be a top player. My husband thought I was mad so I have been treating him to a lot of smirking since the Olympics and this USO.
jamie&andy's fan
11-09-2012, 22:04
When Andy got into the final at Wimbledon
RoastLamb
11-09-2012, 22:11
When he beat Federer at Cincy in 2006. Also after Johnny Mac raved about him in 2005.
patmoren
12-09-2012, 06:30
When he won the Junior US title. I saw some of that match, the first time I had seen him play and thought to myself this lad is very good. I have followed him ever since through all the ups and downs.
Aussie Andy
12-09-2012, 09:01
I only became aware of him after watching the 2010 Hopman Cup, where he played with Laura. I can't exactly remember what attracted Mum and myself to them instantly, because from scarcely ever watching a tennis match we became instant tennis fanatics, desperately wanting him to win the AO - but he lost to Federer.
So, thinking about it, I guess once I noticed him I knew he was, or could be, this good. Now just waiting for Laura to win a slam.
LC the fan
12-09-2012, 09:17
the comeback from 2 down v Gasquet
This was the one for me too. Not only did I see a fighter, for the first time I saw a guy who cared. The expression on his face after that backhand down the line, when he saw the whole of the centre court on their feet was amazing. He realised then that his success meant a lot to others as well as himself. I think he grew up then and there and his tennis ambitions took on a new dimension
About seventeen years ago!!!!:big grin:
Madeline
12-09-2012, 13:56
About seventeen years ago!!!!:big grin:
Not fair. You had a head start!:laugh:
the comeback from 2 down v Gasquet
Me too - wasn't aware of him till then. Between them Sampras and Henman had killed tennis off for me. Boy did I wake up with a jolt and I've been taking the travel sick pills regularly ever since and riding that Murraycoaster. Doubt that will ever stop, even after winning a GS!
pippadaisy
12-09-2012, 14:51
The comeback from 2 down v Gasquet was the moment for me too
Before that I'd kinda lost interest, though was a Roddick fan but when I saw Andy Murray that year I was hooked,
started following loads of his matches via the internet and still do
Next ambition to see Andy live
Just after 2am on Tuesday morning.
Nalbandian and Bangkok both fired up an early belief, but I have to admit that my faith wavered quite a bit over the last couple of years.
LC the fan
12-09-2012, 19:53
Just after 2am on Tuesday morning.
Nalbandian and Bangkok both fired up an early belief, but I have to admit that my faith wavered quite a bit over the last couple of years.
Oh Ye of little faith !!!!
Oh Ye of little faith !!!!
I had loads of faith. Just the weak version! ;)
I had loads of faith. Just the weak version! ;):rolling:
the wholw loyalty/ faith thing has been funny on twitter, there are folk on there jostling for credit like they deserve a little slice of andys paycheck
I don’t know when I first thought “he’s definitely going to win a grand slam” but he’s certainly always had that something for me which Tim & Greg never had. In their days, I wasn’t really a tennis fan – tennis was just one of the sports which I would watch if it happened to be on TV (i.e. Queens, Wimbledon and not much more) – although I did go to Wimbledon (on the outside courts) a few times in the mid-80s when I had a colleague who lived nearby.
I first came across Andy in a piece about him on the BBC website when he was in the US Open Junior semi-final in 2004 so looked again to see how he got on in the final... :swingin: In 2005 I followed his progress and watched whenever he happened to be on TV (Davis Cup doubles in Israel, Queens, Wimbledon etc). By 2006 I was hooked and started doing silly things like cheering points on Livescore, or listening to radio commentary from Australia and America in the middle of the night! :sofa: I didn’t actually join the old Forum until October 2007, but I was lurking for a long time before that. Thanks to the Forum, I discovered livestreams from tournaments like Metz, Moscow, and St Petersburg, so was no longer reliant on how little the BBC showed!
Thanks to Andy, I’ve also become much more of a general tennis fan – although I should probably retire from pickems now, as I’ll never be able to repeat my USOpen win (unlike Andy, who will win many more Grand Slams!) I’ve been lucky enough to see him live several times at Wimbledon and the O2, and thanks to the Forum I’ve had three thoroughly enjoyable Davis Cup trips (Liverpool, Eastbourne, and Braehead Feb ‘12) even though Andy himself was only playing in the first of these (and probably shouldn’t have played then, although I’m selfishly very glad that he did!).
Although I didn’t need convincing by then, the two utterly dominant performances I saw live this summer underlined that it was only a matter of time – v. Davydenko in Wimbledon R1, and v. Almagro in the Olympic QF. He was a man on a mission on both occasions.
themass15
13-09-2012, 16:42
I first saw Andy play against John McEnroe in October 2004 when Tim Henman pulled out of the Super Set competition at Wembley arena but when I first realised how much potential he had was the following year at Queens. Although he hadn't fully grown into his body then he went to three sets against Thomas Johansson and from then I was hooked as a fan and certain he would do well. He has not let me or anyone else down!
Against Nalbandian at Wimbledon.
Me too!!! Always knew he was special. He has such a great mind as well as being a great player.
Joined the forum, was it two or three forums ago can't remember but a couple of months after it initially first started, when Andy used to come on occasionally, aah the memories. Have enjoyed being here ever since. Thanks to you all for the links to streams and support through the good and not so good times.
My first memory was Andy playing Doubles with Greg in Davis Cup against Israel on the clay. He hit some incredible shots for a 17 year old. I was 12 at the time and he really got me into Tennis.
My first memory was Andy playing Doubles with Greg in Davis Cup against Israel on the clay. He hit some incredible shots for a 17 year old. I was 12 at the time and he really got me into Tennis.
Yes, I think that was the moment for me too, not my first memory but the moment I thought how good he was. I had followed him since junior USO and knew about him even before that when he was a hitting partner for Davis Cup and also as a young boy when I used to be an umpire. There was a buzz about him and Jamie even then.
Lots of people mention the Gasquet match - I was a commited fan by then and I remember when he was 2 sets down, texting friends to say I believed he would still win the match. They thought I was mad but my belief has never wavered.
The last couple of years have been a tough wait and I thought it would be harder and harder for him as time went by but I never stopped believing
daveollie
20-09-2012, 20:43
Yes, I think that was the moment for me too, not my first memory but the moment I thought how good he was. I had followed him since junior USO and knew about him even before that when he was a hitting partner for Davis Cup and also as a young boy when I used to be an umpire. There was a buzz about him and Jamie even then.
Lots of people mention the Gasquet match - I was a commited fan by then and I remember when he was 2 sets down, texting friends to say I believed he would still win the match. They thought I was mad but my belief has never wavered.
The last couple of years have been a tough wait and I thought it would be harder and harder for him as time went by but I never stopped believingFor some reason, I always believed he would win the Gasquet match when he was 2 down too, haha, some may call it blind faith and I've had so many pub debates about the lad's quality, but they've all been put to bed now by Andy's heroics this summer
supergran
20-09-2012, 23:14
When he won the US Junior title I became very interested in him as a player. From then on read everything about him, watched all matches he was in and realised that he was going to be very special. I remember the Gasquet match and like Caro was a huge supporter by then. Always remember the match under the roof against Stan as I was there shouting and chanting myself hoarse while people around me sniggered and gaped. I always believed he would win a match....even when he didn't. I always supported him even when those around me were doubting and always believed that one day he would win a Slam. My belief and faith never wavered and this summer he was just amazing.
I first saw Andy play against John McEnroe in October 2004 when Tim Henman pulled out of the Super Set competition at Wembley arena but when I first realised how much potential he had was the following year at Queens. Although he hadn't fully grown into his body then he went to three sets against Thomas Johansson and from then I was hooked as a fan and certain he would do well. He has not let me or anyone else down!
I too saw Andy v John McEnroe at Wembley - I think he got one game and looked terrified but he was only 17! Then, like you it was Queen's the following year and Wimbledon and I too was hooked from then on. Back in those days I think he caught his opponents unaware with a deceptively simple game, wearing them down, forcing them into errors. No one else seemed to play that way. When I think how much he has added to his game over the years - particularly in recent times - it's quite amazing, yet the basics are still there. Fascinating.
When he won the US Junior title I became very interested in him as a player. From then on read everything about him, watched all matches he was in and realised that he was going to be very special. I remember the Gasquet match and like Caro was a huge supporter by then. Always remember the match under the roof against Stan as I was there shouting and chanting myself hoarse while people around me sniggered and gaped. I always believed he would win a match....even when he didn't. I always supported him even when those around me were doubting and always believed that one day he would win a Slam. My belief and faith never wavered and this summer he was just amazing.
I can agree with all of this! Followed his career since I read that he won the Junior USO. The moment I realised just how good he was going to be was watching that Wimbly match against Nalbandian (he said afterwards, I'd never played 5 sets before!). I must admit, though, that earlier this year I was thinking that his chances of winning a slam, which I had previously thought to be certain, were getting less certain as the years passed. But I always said that USO would be the one he would win (first, if more than one) - he really should have won his previous USO final. And when I heard that Rafa wouldn't be playing USO this year, well, that's one less top player to beat so I was pretty sure he'd do it this time.
luara making the final in china takes you right back to the early days, i remember well being so pleased for andy making his first final in bangkok against the GOAT no less, tho of course that was before his goatness ascended his throne and predates many of us on heres apathy towards his bigheadedness
daveollie
22-09-2012, 10:19
I can agree with all of this! Followed his career since I read that he won the Junior USO. The moment I realised just how good he was going to be was watching that Wimbly match against Nalbandian (he said afterwards, I'd never played 5 sets before!). I must admit, though, that earlier this year I was thinking that his chances of winning a slam, which I had previously thought to be certain, were getting less certain as the years passed. But I always said that USO would be the one he would win (first, if more than one) - he really should have won his previous USO final. And when I heard that Rafa wouldn't be playing USO this year, well, that's one less top player to beat so I was pretty sure he'd do it this time. He'd have done Rafa if he'd have faced him this time around, nothing was stopping him this year at the U.S.
daveollie
22-09-2012, 10:21
luara making the final in china takes you right back to the early days, i remember well being so pleased for andy making his first final in bangkok against the GOAT no less, tho of course that was before his goatness ascended his throne and predates many of us on heres apathy towards his bigheadednessApathy is one way to describe what is felt, the nature of this forum dictates that we'll leave it there eh!!! ;-D haha
HoopGirl
23-09-2012, 19:25
I heard about him winning the boys US Open but was focused on Henman at that point although had little opportunity to
follow tennis internationally at that time.
Remember his entrance to Wimbledon at That match to Nalbandian - he was so different to Tim
- a surly teenager and I loved the differences.
Had been a massive fan of McEnroes so liked Players who were a bit different.
Started to follow him more and more getting Eurosport, then SkySport after spending hours on the Computer following scores or watching poor quality free web. Became ridiculously obsessed - crying when he lost - the first Australian open was the worst as felt low for days after that. Went to New York to see him, he got knocked out before we
left! Have got really upset at parties etc when people take the **** out of andy or me for
following him, have stood up for him to many people who have judged him hoarsely and unfairly and have considered leaving Pilates on a number of occasions because of the comments of British people.
He has perplexed me and challenged me and delighted me and made me cry. I have been frustrated with him because of his amazing talent, I have done a NLP sports qualification
partly because of my fascination with him and the way his mind works. I have talked about him at 6.30 in the morning and whilst walking the dog to my poor husband, I have bored
the pants of anyone who will talk about him in a genuine way with me!
Was delighted to see him play at Wimbledon against baggy although was hiding my head and feeling ill towards the end. Most of the matches he plays I end up listening to and doing housework because I get too stressed!
My stepdad and I used to talk tennis a lot. He wanted andy to win but was frustrated with his serve etc, he also admired Federer although we didn't agree on Federer.
My stepdad got terminal cancer and I made a deal with andy that he would win a grand
slam before my stepdad died.
He died early hours of New Year's Eve - bizarrely later that day the news came out that
Lendl was andy,s coach.
The person I would talk to about this news and its implications was now dead.
Well andy did it just a year Too late for my stepdad - hope heis still watching and happy as I am about it!
HoopGirl
23-09-2012, 19:26
Sorry for the long post!
Sorry for the long post!
Don't apologise Hoopgirl - your long post was well worth reading. You obviously follow Andy with a passion like most of us on this site. I'm so sorry that your Stepdad wasn't around to celebrate Andy's victory with you. I was luckier - my sister used to laugh at my obsession with Andy but rang me at 3 o'clock in the morning when Andy won to share in my celebrations. Sadly, she died on Friday but I will always remember her sharing my joy.
Alis, so sorry about your sister :grouphug:
RoastLamb
23-09-2012, 22:50
So sorry Hoopgirl and Alis. :grouphug: :flowers:
:grouphug:I would just like to Thank Alis & Hoopgirl for their posts, my heart & condolences go out to you both!!!!:grouphug:
Thanks for the posts Hoopgirl and Alis and :grouphug:
Golden Lady
24-09-2012, 12:36
So sorry Hoopgirl and Alis :grouphug::flowers:
HoopGirl
24-09-2012, 21:25
Alis so sorry about your sister.
Glad she got to share Andys triumph with you
I knew Andy was something special when he started out on tour tbh. The way he had no fear when he was younger, the variety he had in his game. Knew he could do it. And oddly enough though he lost some finals, he kept improving so instead of getting disheartenned my faith in him succeeding increased!
so sorry for both of your losses hoopgirl & Alis
I first knew of Andy , when my oldest son was in Manchester working , that was about 6 or 7 years ago . He called me one day , and said mom , you have got to watch this young kid from Scotland . Hes something special :)
The rest is History.
:grouphug: I am so sorry Hoopgirl and Alis!
JAMES4578
27-09-2012, 06:27
Thanks so much for your posts Hoopgirl and Alis! So sorry to hear about your losses :grouphug:
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