Andy Murray targets improvement for 2011
Scottish player Andy Murray, currently ranked fourth in the world, has said he will need to improve to beat Rafael Nadal at the upcoming Grand Slam tournaments after making a disappointing exit at the
US Open this year.
Earlier this month, Murray, who lost the US Open final to Roger Federer two years ago, had to leave New York after a third-round defeat to Stanislas Wawrinka. Having won the first set against the Swiss
player, the 23-year-old failed to retain his movement on the court and lost the following three sets.
The defeat was especially disappointing given Murray's victory in Toronto's Rogers Cup a few weeks earlier, where he defeated Nadal and Roger Federer to claim the title.
"I've got four or five months before the next Slam," he said to BBC Sport, targeting the Australian Open in January. "I need to get physically stronger, improve my game and then I'll give myself the chance
to beat [Nadal]."
While Murray said he will do his all to prepare to face Nadal in next year's Grand Slams, the 2010 Australian Open finalist was full of praise for the Spanish numer one following his first US Open title.
"He's one of the greatest players ever — I've been saying that for a while now — and to me he didn't really prove that at the US Open, it just adds to his resume, and I'm sure he's going to go on to even
better things."
Still looking for a trainer
Some attributed Murray's weak performance in New York to the absence of a coach. Since sacking Miles Maclagan in July, Murray has been without a trainer.
The British prospect said that while he has been considering some names in discussions with his family, he will not be rushing to sign someone for the role.
"I'm going to have to be patient with it, take my time a little bit and I'm sure I'll find someone that will help me. I haven't spoken to anybody yet but I've spoken to the guys that I work with and I've
spoken to my mum about the people that I might like to work with.