Andy Murray Credits Strong Preparation For Miami Success

Written by: Staff on 3rd April 2013

Sony Open tennis tournament on Key Biscayne, Florida

Andy Murray Credits Strong Preparation For Miami Success

epa03646360 Andy Murray of Great Britain returns the ball to David Ferrer of Spain during their men's final match at the Sony Open tennis tournament in Miami, Florida, USA, 31 March 2013. Murray defeated Ferrer. EPA/ERIK S. LESSER |

Andy Murray can say “I told you so” after a six-week break between the Australian Open final and the start of last month’s Indian Wells event eventually led the Scot to a Miami title and a return to the No. 2 ranking.

With his confidence down in the gutter after losing the Melbourne Grand Slam final to Novak Djokovic, Murray went ahead with a pre-planned training break, skipping Davis Cup as well as the Dubai hardcourts in the Gulf where he played the 2012 final against Roger Federer.

Instead, the Scot went against the temptation to chase ranking points and put in the hard yards in the heat and humidity of his adopted Miami base, working with Florida-based coach Ivan Lendl.

As a result, when Indian Wells began, Murray was refreshed. And it was that fitness which helped him past David Ferrer in the grueling Miami final and into second in the world behind Novak Djokovic.

“I think it was just general freshness, really,” Murray said in victory. A lot of the guys were maybe a little bit tired, because after Australia guys can play three tournaments between Australia and Indian Wells.

“But I felt fairly fresh this week. Indian Wells (quarter0final loss) was a struggle for me. I didn’t play so well there. But then here I felt better.”

Murray said that the heat of Miami makes the event a challenge. “I remember Rafa and Novak played here (2011) in a three set match and Rafa was I think in hospital after the match. Conditions in Miami are extremely hard, very, very humid. Sometimes pressure and nerves or tension or whatever can add to that, as well.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Andy Murray, Australian Open, British tennis news, David Ferrer, Miami Sony Open, Murray, Novak Djokovic, Sports, tennis new, tennis training