Marray Hopes To Find A 2013 Doubles Partner Soon

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 30th October 2012

Marray Hopes To Find A 2013 Doubles Partner Soon

epa03299785 Jonathan Marray of Britain (L) and Frederik Nielsen of Denmark in action during the men's doubles final against Robert Lindstedt of Sweden and Horia Tecau of Romania for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 07 July 2012. EPA/JONATHAN BRADY |

Wimbledon doubles champion Jonny Marray is determined to find a regular partner before the start of next year and is examining every possibility after Frederik Nielsen, the Dane with which he triumphed at the All England Club in July, has made it clear he’s going concentrate on singles in 2013.

Almost four months have elapsed since Marray elicited a re-write of the British tennis record books by partnering Denmark ’s Nielsen to the Wimbledon title that still, on occasion, leaves both men in disbelief. It was the first time a British man had taken the doubles crown since 1936.

In ten subsequent tournaments since Wimbledon , Marray has teamed up with six different players and the win/loss ratio has been a disappointing 3/10. This week at the BNP Paribas Masters at Paris ’s Palais de Omnisports at Bercy, is playing with a seventh different partner in the shape of Australian Paul Hanley.

So Marray, aged 31 years old and this week placed 22nd of the ATP World Tour doubles ranking has decided the time is now right to take a decision. “Hopefully next year I will have something a bit more settled in place,” said Marray who, according to former British Davis Cup captain John Lloyd, possesses the most technically correct volley in the entirety of men’s tennis.

“Freddie’s priority will again be singles so it’s best if I look for somebody who can commit to the majority of the year. There is some movement amongst the very top teams but all those guys seem to have already got things sorted out.

“So I am still looking and asking. There’s even a part of the Players Only section of the ATP’s website where you can place a request for new partners and I’ve used that as I must explore every possibility.”

Marray is obviously frustrated at the run of form and he continued: “I wouldn’t say I’ve been playing badly since Wimbledon but doubles is such a quick game with fine margins and just a couple of points can make the difference between winning and losing a match. We play an extended tie-break instead of a third set, so just one miss placed shot can decide a match. Therefore it is so beneficial to have a partner you are used to playing alongside.”

One event where there can be no doubt about qualification is the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals that take place at London ’s 02 Arena next week (Monday, November 5) . Nielsen will gladly forego the singles circuit for the week and the pair knew they would be amongst the doubles field from the moment they lifted the trophies at Wimbledon .

“It’s massive for us,” said Marray, who has only visited the event once before as a spectator two years ago, whilst attending the ATP Players University in London . “It’s a great show with fantastic crowds and the doubles are very much integrated into every session. A lot of times, around the world, we find ourselves playing on back courts or at some very late hour so there are next to no spectators around but it’s motivational to know we’ll be playing in front of packed houses against the likes of the Bryan brothers or Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor who are the defending champions.”