WHAT an immense performance this was from Andy Murray.
Every element was there. His focus was bang on and it had to be, against someone with such a big game.
You can’t get down on yourself.
Andy has always been described as one of the best returners in the game.
Today he may just have nudged to being regarded as THE best.
In the end, it wasn’t Raonic’s serve that defined the match, it was Andy’s cross-court backhand. It was a joke, so accurate, within six inches of the lines. Milos did well to stay mentally strong there. It must be tough playing a final when your best shot is neutralised.
You could see at the end how much it meant to Andy. He was really emotional straight afterwards. I wondered how he was going to keep it together for Sue Barker’s questions.
Although he has said there’s no shame in failing when you are making finals of Grand Slams, he is desperate to win and it can’t have been easy losing so many.
Ivan Lendl was emotional at the end, too. I had a quick look, there seemed to be some mist in his eyes.
And why not? He cares about Andy a lot. He doesn’t need to be doing this job. It was nice to see that bit of emotion.
Big credit to the whole team, to Jamie Delgado, fitness trainer Matt Little, physios Shane Annun and Mark Bender, nutritionist Glenn Kearney.
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It must be an amazing feeling, with everything they go through.
But this is why Ivan is here, to get Andy over the line. His return has been vindicated.
Their journey had not finished. It wasn’t like a football manager leaving a club. It was purely because of Ivan’s personal situation, needing to be at home more. It hadn’t run its course.
There was unfinished business between them . . . and there still is.
Andy has always been clear about what he needs. Even though he directs all the traffic, it’s nice for him to have someone with that authority who is coming in.
Andy is working hard to achieve what is still possible. And what is still possible is being No 1 in the world rankings.
And, after three Slam finals in a row and winning one, it’s got to be about adding Slam titles.
They are gold dust.
This win provides the realisation that what he is doing is working.
He is 29 years old but maybe his best years are still ahead of him.
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