The Rise And Rise Of Andy Murray

Andy Murray defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets (6-3, 6-4) to clinch the season-concluding event and cement his number one spot in the ATP ranking...

- Nijing

On 13 March 1996, at Dunblane Primary School, near Glasgow, a man called Thomas Hamilton entered the school. He was armed with four guns and started shooting, killing 16 students and a teacher. Many students ran for cover and hid under whatever things that they could find. The massacre was over when Hamilton killed himself. One among the boys who hid in a classroom was Andy Murray. He somehow escaped from the mayhem unscathed.

After 23 years, on 20 November 2016, in the final of ATP World Tour Finals in London, Andy Murray defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets (6-3, 6-4) to clinch the season-concluding event and cement his number one spot in the ATP ranking. This is the first time in the last 12 years that a person other than Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Djokovic is holding the numero uno position in tennis.

THE FOURTH AMONG EQUALS

Murray’s triumph is kind of both expected and unexpected: that is, his fans expected it, but the others were a bit skeptical. Since 2010, when he reached the final of a grand slam title, the Australian Open for the first time, Murray has been part of what has come to be known as the Fab Four of tennis. The British media was quick to elevate him to the status of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic. But he was the least fabulous among the foursome. He does not have the aura or the amazing shot-making ability of the other three. He was more of a defensive player who tries to do fewer errors than his opponent. In contrast, Federer, Nadal and Djokovic were more flamboyant players who try to eclipse their opponents. Moreover, until this year, he struggled to defeat Federer, Nadal or Djokovic. That is why a number of people did not expect to him to become the number one. He was truly the fourth among equals.