Oh what's he talking about!! Andy used to use this shot ad nauseum twelve months ago, especially when he was in trouble, remember match against Gasquet. And frequently it used to miss and fans like me would go, "No, Andy no!!" ! It's got a lot better, but new in his weaponry it surely ain't!!

funny ....the federer ability in making a drop shot went from non existent to one of the most sublime drop shots in the game ....this is why i love the guys talent ....
I dont think murray's drop shot is anywhere near the fed drop shot especially with the amount of underspin when fed executes it ....the ball just check dead !!!! bounces on the same spot twice ..

C'MON !

its good to see more and more players trying to develop a complete game. Fed's frequent use of a drop shot was a surprise.

I agree deuce. It isn't anything "new" to Murray, he has just improved the way he uses it. I found this article I thought you'd like on Murray:
"Andy Murray of Scotland, British fans' favorite son and the No. 3 player in the world, will share his thoughts with USA TODAY throughout the tournament.

Let's get this straight: I don't see the mounting Murray Mania that everyone is talking about as something that can necessarily hurt me. In tennis it's rare to have hometown support; for me, just a couple of tournaments a year or in Davis Cup. It's nice being on court for a change where you feel everyone really wants you to win. For me it's always the best atmosphere, and it does make a difference in your performance. I know the French players, for instance, are suspected of getting undone by nerves when they play in Paris, but that's an excuse to blame it on the crowd for not playing well. If it does make a difference, it's only a positive one. I see it as an advantage, like in team sports such as soccer and basketball. Tim Henman (a four-time Wimbledon semifinalist) played some of his best tennis here with the crowd at his back.

Of course, I understand the expectations and pressures. The last British man to win Wimbledon was Fred Perry in 1936, so it's pent-up. I won't go out of my way to pretend it's not there. You either deal with it or you don't. I'm not going to change the TV channel or avoid reading a newspaper if I see my face. My success is also becoming a bit of an education. When I won the grass-court tuneup at Queens this month, I had no idea who Henry "Bunny" Austin was. He was the last British winner ? in 1938. I didn't know anything about him at all. I was surprised it was such a long time ago. I'm not that good on tennis history from way back, but I've followed it closely the last 6-7 years. Anything before then, I'm not that good on!

Obviously, I've improved my results at Wimbledon each of the last three years (third round, fourth round, quarterfinals), and I think I can do well if I play my best. I've done well here since the first time I played, even though I still think hardcourts are my best surface. The most important thing is not to get ahead of myself, especially with (Rafael) Nadal out of my half of the draw. It would be easy to think, 'Maybe I can get to the fourth round, the quarterfinals, and so on,' but the level and depth we have in tennis every match is so tough, including playing an American (Robert Kendrick) in the first round.

I love the atmosphere of Wimbledon village but I don't stay here. I'm in a place about 20 minutes away. In fact, I moved from an apartment to a house in Surrey last week. It sounds like a crazy thing to do on the eve of Wimbledon. But I'll be honest ? I didn't do any of the heavy lifting, save for one bed and a sofa. I was focused on practicing, and then I took a little break at the end of last week to play golf and do a little go-kart racing.
I like go-karting, and I went with the guys I work with. It was a belated birthday present (May 15) since it was the only time we'd all be together. Go-karting helps get my mind away from competition and allows me to hang out with guys that aren't necessarily in tennis or talking about Wimbledon or asking questions about whether you're going to win it or not. It's just who crashed into whom. It was great fun, and nobody had any injuries."

thanx fan4! The more I read about him the more I like!

I have new battlecry for us deuce!

BRING THE CROWN BACK TO THE HOMETOWN!

Not everyone in the UK supports Murray...some of the tennis fans find the fact that Murray is rammed down our throats....across the newspaper....him giving interviews left right and centre a little bit over the top...plus as at today...there is a new song that has been released......so if you are that keen on him FFT...go buy it....it's out on download tomorrow.....

i mean...could things get any tackier?

C'MON!
Allez Federer!

I thought you'd like that article deuce. I especially liked the fact that he knows of the "Murray Mania" and it is not affecting him or how he plays. Also the fact that he has improved every year at Wimby shows his mindset! Everyone laughed at thinking Rafa would win AO but he also said he improved each year at AO and we all know what his result was! So why can't Murray do it? I know not everyone in the UK likes Murray. SO WHAT???? Not everyone in Switzerland likes fed and not everyone in Spain likes Rafa so there is no difference. And having one of the greats admiring his use of the dropshot and his tenacity in using it is fantastic!
BRING THE CROWN BACK TO THE HOMETOWN!

malt1: I was thrilled, as you know, that TMF got RG at long last, history made etc ; he's just a magic player I agree and he deserved it, ...but.......give us a break here, please. Not every thread should be brought round to TMF and please let other fans discuss their favourites without you carping all the time.
fan4tennis: Hey, I like it, I like it BRING THE CROWN BACK TO THE HOME TOWN!! YEEEHAH!!

deuce...it was only a comment about murray...so chill please....i think i made my point....

I also answered you deuce on the Rafa thread--lol. Basically said that I have always said I admired and liked Murray so it should be no surprise that in the absence of Rafa, that I will root for Murray. I can't stop thinking that Murray has to start winning his slams sometime and NOW is one of the best chances! Wish him the best!!!
BRING THE CROWN BACK TO THE HOME TOWN!!

malt1: yes, but u always say the same things a) you can't stand Andy M, fair enough, I don't expect everyone to like him, b) that many Brits don't like him either, again fair enough but agree with f4t you wouldn't expect that and I can assure you if he should do well at Wimbles everyone will LOVE him! c) the British media is going mad for him. Well, I don't know which papers you read but so far the Guardian has had a huge spread on Venus, a big one on Rafa, very measured stuff on Andy's chances, a big spread on previous finals etc. Perhaps you should change your paper? I also listened to Queens and Pat Cash provided a welcome anecdote to the gush, but I also found the other commentators quite measured, even LLoyd, and always ready to praise Andy's opponents.

I think Murray mania is more of British mania. UK is hungry for sporting glory especially in football where it has been awhile since they won the World Cup although they have an abundance of talent and also have the best league in the world.

I remembered when they won the Rugby World Cup, the English consumed a record number of beers and the cricket players who won the Ashes got an award from the queen.
'
I think Murray must use this advantage of home crowd to fire himself up.

"I think Murray must use this advantage of home crowd to fire himself up."

I think the article I posted earlier on this thread from the USATODAY shows that Murray IS doing just that torres.

f4t, he hasn't step on court so he IS NOT doing it yet.

malt -

Newspapers are economic enterprises that exist ot make money in a highly cut-throat market (certainly in the UK) by telling customers, and attracting potential customers, to what they WANT to read. I don't see any more bias towards murray in UK than I see towards rafa in Spain, Fed in Switzerland or A-Rod in USA (despite the latter probably having less justification).

Murray rammed down people's throats? Don't think so. Out of the BBC's 9 pundits, only 2 have plumped for muzz, and one of them is Pat Cash - an Ozzie!

I know it fits the caricature for all Brits to be muzz-blind and it makes a good story to gossip about. Just a pity it's not true:)

The drop shot mayrray's "newest" weapon? Where have you been?

Unfortunately it's the oldest trick in murray's box and one which, thankfully, he no longer stubbornly over-uses. Murray has, however, been using the dropshot more intelligently recently - not as an all-or-nothing attempt to win the rally but to draw his opponent into the net with a view to passing or lobbing on the next stroke.

I know that torres, (DUH!)

But I think it is safe to say that the players try to fire themselves up BEFORE they step out on the court!

deuce....i hear what you say buddy...but my point is that a band called 'rock salt and nails'....(say no more....)......have just made a cd! celebrating murray...ready for download today....argh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i just think that is going a bit too far...and trust me alex...it is NOT..... just in two papers..............

...you switch on the TV...murray is e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e......murray did some modelling..on the catwalk....the news promoted it on 6pm news...9pm news...10pm news...then the band came on...murray did a radio interview with radio five live for an hour or so in front of a live audience....so honestly...your not saying that this isn't 'in ya face?'.....PLUS...we now get the chance to see where murray lives?...i don't see that with any other tennis player...do you?

absolutely i can understand the feeling of murray being the 'next big thing for british tennis'...but deuce....help me here...i just don't enjoy watching his game....i'm sorry.....i guess it has a lot to do with the way he acts on court....when he misses a shot..and shouts E-N-D-Y...(in his accent)...then pumps up his muscles (like he did last year)...yeah....i know all about he fighting spirit...i just don't get murray....sorry deuce.....but am sure that he has many, many fans out there who love him....so i don't think he gonna miss me....right?

the "new" drop shot for Murray? LOL. Brad Gilbert was busy lamenting that shot YEARS ago because he used to pull it out at odd moments and with varying degrees of success.

Personally, I think Murray is better off using his low slice on grass. I've never liked his drop shot much, to be honest.

malt1: that's all absolutely fine, just please stop going on about it, that's all. BTW have a gr8 time at Wimbles 2morrow. Give my love to Andy.......

John the Mac is the absolutely best Tennis commentator. In second place, Cliff Drysdale and Mar Jo Correli -also great tips. Mac give great coaching tips during the play and al three know when to be quiet. We don't need to hear constant drival like we do from the other commentators while active play is happening. I give John MAC the commentator of the decade award! I love it when he covers THE FED, Nadal, and Djocv. He has a great eye! Thanks to the Mac!