91Èȱ¬

It seems like a perfect appointment - someone who lost his first 4 GS finals and went on to win so many, and someone who can help Murray with the mental side of the game. I think the draw's been OK to Murray, but Tsonga in the QF will be extremely tough (if they both get there!)

My own preview of it is on www.samhopwood.blogspot.com/2012/01/famous-four/down-under-again

on a side note jonathan why has the bbc ditched their already extremely limited coverage since i can remember to a whats the point of following coverage,both finals and 1 mens semi that is pathetic i wouldnt mind if the showed murrays matches and the finals but they cant even do this.shame on the bbc i defended them on the f1 coverage and the spending cuts and i was prepared to pay more but for what when the fund things like handball world championships ,swimming,horse riding,eqestrian,hockey,womens football,golf,bowls,bmx world championships,cycling etc i can go on for a hour naming pointless sports that 1% less of the population watch the bbc cover it.even the darts is disapearing plus the french open is gone wimbledon will be gone after 2014 i put my house on it.i wonder why it is still continuing to operate.the tv programmes are rubbish aswell,repeats christmas tv on the bbc was the worst thing i have ever witnessed,what is the point of the bbc now.

I love the fact that Andy Murray is not taking these Grand Slam losses lying down. He is a very good player playing in an era of great players - but won't accept that he cannot join their ranks.

He is doing everything right - he improved his fitness and strength massively, he has tried a number of coaches. And I am sure he will make the breakthrough that he deserves.

But it's not going to be easy for him.

Nice blog J.O., couldn't agree more with Lendl about Murray's loss to Djokovic - had it happened later on no-one would have batted an eyelid.
#3 does it count as irony that you've written that on a 91Èȱ¬ blog?

@bobbinmoore yes but you cant shame them on the say itv website,did i or did i not name the most pathetic "sports" the bbc cover plus those fools on MOTD i could of named more

on murray i think it is exciting move to team with lendl but we shouldnt judge him on his australian open performence as it is there 1st slam togather,if they are still working togather after new york judge it then or in 2013,it is goinbg to be tough to beat the top 3 in the crunch but he can do it just once he will be dripping with confidence,but he will need luck like nadal in roland garros 05,federer in wimbledon 2003 and nole in australia in 2008 they all faced journeymen/unknowns to win their slams poor murray has to face them.

monfils is tough as you dont know what you are going to get a stunning performence or a match that gold fish will be embarressed to watch.tsonga is a winnable match as murray has a great record over him and has the ability to get his serves back and exploit tsongas backhand.i think should he get to the semi and nole as well it should be a good match as nmurray might have revenge on his mind and nole has all the pressure to defend a title that isnt a 500 for the 1st time.rafa should beat federer outdoors on these hard courts,both have cupcake draws

Looks like its the Joker in the S/F for Murray - that will give an indication of whether Murray has conquered his demons. Tsonga can trip anyone up on a good day but I fancy Murray for the semis.

If Murray can finally deliver his best performance when it counts he may finally have a chance - all depends if Djojk's injury holds off for the tournament.

The semi in the opposite half is still my match to watch - Rafa should win on past performances but is there still one GS left for the maestro?

@adrenilenepotato I would hazard a guess that many more people cycle in this country than play tennis, but of course ITV and Eurosport have the best coverage of that sport.

As for Murray, it's nice to see him leaving no stone unturned in his hunt for a win. Hopefully if he can crack one Slam he can go on a Djokovic style run.

@phreak79 actually probably right in the uk but the tour de france is the only cycling race/marathon worth talking about the olympics is for ametuers.in case you didnt know tennis after football is the most played sport in the world not bad eh.that is it the bbc have tat for everything.f1 was the only thing they did brilliantly everything else is bit of something here a bit of something there done miserably,evenm wimbledon got complaints about their commentry teams,who would make an effort to complain about something offically,sad little people

Recently in-form Milos Raonic had a smooth run at Chennai.
The young Canadian has the game to take on the best in the fray.
Wishing Andy Murray and the tennis fraternity an exciting Australian Open.


Dr. Cajetan Coelho

I think it's a pretty tough draw for Murray. Monfils is unpredictable and Tsonga had a great end to 2011 and just won Doha. Then there's still two rounds to go after that potentially against Djokovic and Federer/Nadal. I think the partnership with Lendl seems like a great fit but I agree with previous comments; it's early days and, with this draw, I'm not sure it will be Murray's first Grand Slam.

Elsewhere, I have doubts about Nadal. Continuing injuries, plans to take a month off after the tournament and the fact he's only made the AO final once before. I think a Djokovic/Federer final is more likely.

Would love Watson to cause an upset against Azarenka but I think it's an even tougher task than her match against Sharapova at the US. Would also love to see Bally play Clijsters in round two.

With seven matches to play to win the title, it's a tough draw for everyone. Let's just see what happens!

I'm not saying don't speculate about and discuss results of matches, just that I don't really believe in easy/hard draws.

Murray is too old to learn new tricks. The appointment of Lendl comes too late for sure.

#14 I don't think that's the case, Annacone has made a massive difference to Federer much later in his career

@ 15 It is one thing to ask the greatest tennis player of all time to be more aggressive, but completely different to ask Murray to take the initiative and step into the court. I think it's a shame for the British public that Murray is the nation's sole reperesentative at this level.

I'm excited at this prospect, feels good to me!

RJ@16

I'm one of Federer's army of fans but I would still be excited to see Murray suceed.

Djokovic sets the precedent - who was more unstable and fragile than Djokovic a few years ago?

If Lendl can instill that purpose of mind without inhibiting Murray's natural talent he could be up there with the big 3.

It may be a limited window of opportunity but with the doubts over Nadal, the inconsistency of the maestro, maybe Murray can swing a GS this year if Djokovic trails off as the year goes on. I fancy Murray for the US open this year - if the others run each other into the ground.

Of course he will win a grand slam - never hurry A Murray!

As I wrote when this was first announced, discipline and concentration is all Lendl needs to teach Murray. He has to find a way to get Andy to play like Ben Hogan did in golf. Hogan shut out everything but what he was doing and this is what Andy has to do. Won't be easy for Lendl though because these two are Andy's only real flaws, yet they alone are what has stopped him reaching his potential so far.

I was genuinely chuffed to hear Ivan Lendl was going to take on Andy, always used to be amazed by the Lendl played, and his commitment.

But, I think that while his comments about losing to Novak in last year's Aussie Open are valid in terms of how Novak played, the big problem in that match for Murray was the foul tempered, bad mood that the player at Andy Murray's side of the net was in.

Was painful to watch because Andy appeared to be determined to hate every second he was on court, and I don't see how any player can play well in those circumstances. He wasn't his own worst enemy, Novak Djokovic was - but it looked as though Andy was giving Novak a run for his money, in that sense.

Hopefully Lendl can eliminate that negativity from Andy's game, as that is all he needs. He has the tools and the fitness, now, and it's just his attitude that seems to be - occasionally - holding him back.

Sorry if that's a bit negative, but I do want Andy to do well - and he did have a fantastic season last year- but to move up he has to get rid of the foul mood.

I am so annoyed about the TV coverage. It absolutely SUCKS to be a tennis fan in this country. I can't watch the U.S. Open because I refuse to get Sky. I can't watch the Australian Open (apart from the FINAL) because urr I don't live in a pub, so I don't have Eurosport. And the French Open is weird and boring. SO. The only Slam I can enjoy any decent coverage of is Wimbledon. It's PATHETIC!

As somebody else has suggested, even be slightly cringey and just show Murray's matches - I wouldn't complain or call you cringey. But really, having to follow this tournament by reading the results in the paper absolutely SUCKS. I don't understand how the 91Èȱ¬ can afford so much footballing inanity, not to mention hour-upon-hour of snooker and ...DARTS, and not even pretend to care about providing a semi-decent tennis coverage. Please sort it out. If Murray doesn't get past Novak, I'm not going to get to see him play AT ALL. And I love Andy, but let's face it, the likelihood is this is high.

In other news, I really, really, really hope Murray can do it. If not him, then I want Rog (for it is he) to win. Vamos, Andy!

lendal is a god just like RF,he will help andy game..what a great signing