Rusedski ponders Murray future
Monday 6 April 2015 09:19, UK
Miami Open champion Novak Djokovic channels his on-court anger into a successful formula, says Greg Rusedski.
The world No 1 powered past Andy Murray in hot, testing conditions to register a 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-0 victory on Sunday night to record a 55th career title, and a fifth in the Florida tournament.
Djokovic allowed his tempers to briefly interrupt his performance after dropping the second set and received a stern lecture from the umpire after a heated rant at the ball-boys - but Rusedski believes such tantrums fuel his brilliance.
"He tries to let out his frustration when he gets angry but he’s able to put it behind him which is what makes him such a good champion," the former British No 1 told Sky Sports.
"If he lets it fester inside of him and doesn’t release the frustration then he can’t play that great tennis. He uses that anger, gets rid of it, then moves on.
"Physically, mentally, technically and tactically he is No 1. [New coach] Boris Becker has really added a dimension to his game with his serve, and also coming forwards. It was nice for him to finish the Murray match serving and volleying, in the past we wouldn’t have seen that."
He tries to let out his frustration when he gets angry but he’s able to put it behind him which is what makes him such a good champion.
Rusedski believes Djokovic's motivation will now be to add one missing piece of silverware to his trophy cabinet on the courts of Roland Garros.
While Rafa Nadal historically enjoys dominance at the French Open, Rusedski recognises that Djokovic will put up a fight to take his crown.
He said: "From Djokovic’s perspective, he’s now trying to attain the one thing he hasn’t done which is to win the French Open so the lead-ups in Monte Carlo and Rome will be so crucial for him to keep up this momentum and try to get the edge over Nadal.
"He is the complete package and a major threat to get the final Grand Slam that is missing from his resume."
Murray will aim to recovery from his Miami defeat at the French Open after skipping the Monte Carlo warm-up tournament due to his upcoming wedding.
But victory on the clay courts will be beyond the British No 1, says Rusedski, although he take solace from his improving world ranking.
Rusedski continued: "It’s a big ask to win because of a certain guy name Rafa Nadal, who hasn’t had the best of years by his standards, but will come back to the fore. There’s guys like Stan Wawrinka who will want to show their pedigree because they didn’t play well at the French Open after winning the Masters in Monte Carlo.
"Roger Federer will be fresh and will have preparation in Monte Carlo, and Djokovic is a man on a mission right now.
"Murray, realistically in the French Open, can get to the semi-finals. In the Masters, semi-finals or the final possibly. But to win? I put those guys fractionally ahead of him.
"From Murray’s perspective, he’s up to No 3 in the world after today. In the Slams that will put him in the top four seeds which is very, very important because he’ll miss out on Djokovic, Federer and Nadal in the quarter-finals."
