Just like in 2011, Murray suffered an early exit from the first big tournament after the Australian Open.
Last year he lost to an ambitious Donald Young, this time to a tough and underrated G.Garcia-López.
Here's why his defeat will not hurt him. Or should not.
Andy has had a good year so far. One title, one final and an AO semifinal, ending on a high note with an epic match against Djokovic.
Now he lost in the first round of the Masters event in Indian Wells.
His opponent, let's call him GGL, is a tough cookie on hardcourts. Nadal was one of his victims two years ago in Bangkok. GGL will walk the walk, go as far as is needed to win every single point.
In the first set of Andy vs GGL, both players had exceptionally long rallies. Still, no one had the feeling that Andy would eventually lose. He seemed to be in control. But GGL hung in there, fighting off break points (0-40 at 2-3 in the first set, that's his expertise), not giving in. His backhand is a joy to watch, technically clean, he can easily give the ball any angle he wants.
At 4-4, Murray was up 40-15 on his own serve. It went to Deuce. Long rally. Murray at the net, high lob, Smash... OUT !
I know how frustrating it is to not convert your own breakpoints. And GGL is the kind of player who needs just one chance to break your serve.
That was the moment when Murray's game broke down. Does he have to worry? Do his fans need to worry?
No. As Roger once said: "You are too good not to win a Grand Slam." It will happen. Murray has everything to become a champ. All the shots, the fitness, the tactical intelligence. He's a masterful counterpuncher, he can read match situations, take away speed only to go full speed one moment later.
The one thing that lacks him, of course, as everyone on Tour has already stated, is his mental toughness.
If he has one of those days, he seems unable to tough it out. But that is an ability you can learn, especially when you accumulate experience.
In the second set, Murray had another 0-40 on GGL's serve. Again, the Spaniard won the game. He absolutely had the total will to win, to beat a top 4 player. Murray found himself on the ropes against an opponent with a very good baseline game. He just couldn't break through.
In 2011, Murray went on to have a very good Grand Slam season, reaching all 4 semifinals. Nadal always stopped him, but he has the game to beat Rafa. It will not hurt Murray to neglect these early hardcourt tournaments and focus on the clay court season. He played great matches on clay against Nadal (in MonteCarlo) and Djokovic (in Rome) last year. He can beat everyone on any surface. As long as he believes it.
Let me just state it here: He will win a Grand Slam this year. I totally see him winning in New York.
So: Andy, you have 6 months to become a mental monster. Use them!
Twitter: @AtleticoDave
