Whose coaching arrangement has been the best so far?

Murray playing the same game Federer is?

Game name: Desperation?

Murray has ZERO titles this season with one final and one semifinal as his best outing – in 10 attempts. And that’s not even the worst part of it. Not only has he not been able to break the Slam barrier despite being in the finals twice in his career, he has now lost to both Federer and Nadal in straight sets after posting incredible numbers leading up to the match.

Before the two ‘hammerfications’ Murray had lost just one set the entire tournament. And virtually owned Federer (H2H 6-4) AND Nadal (Winning three of the last five). But to go down that tamely on the big stage (one at home) – twice – without even winning a set has to inflame the already bruised ego that went on the roof to claim that he will own the No. 1 rank by year-end.

In retrospective, given Federer’s record in the past about 15 tournaments starting from late last season, that AO loss looks even more painful when even Gulbis was able to beat Federer – on clay, not to mention the whole garden variety of players with bragging rights.

Loss to Nadal wasn’t anything close to soothing either. Nadal had two back to back five setters in early rounds to tomato cans and was coming off a grueling clay season in contrast to your smooth ride right up to the match with nothing to drain your fuel on clay.

Looking back, both matches today look like sitters given existence of all conditions potentially able to have a bearing.

It’s hard to imagine that results of this season in general and these two losses in particular have not impacted Murray’s psyche so adversely that a change of coach or a girl friend etc. can do any good. If Murray is not where Federer is versus Nadal mentally, he may not be too far from that scenario either – with big stage replacing Nadal in that set up and local pressure fanning the fire beyond control.

All that inevitably leads to just one road called Desperation Blvd leading to knee jerk reactions on the first available scapegoat. Kim could be next followed by return of that hippy and creepy hair down to his shoulder.

Difference? One is hiring, the other is firing.

Inside coach’s mind before he takes up new assignment.

Unless you are a beginner like Todd Martin was for Djokovic, a seasoned coach looks for ONE specific factor among others in determining if a certain assignment is worth going for. Without its free flowing presence ideal conditions for the perfect execution of his plan without infringement will evaporate leaving him handcuffed and frustrated. Have a clue? No, you don’t!!!!!!

It’s quite like electing a new President for a country, a business, a club, you name it. Without that all important component, the incumbent cannot affect change in the exact direction he wants. Even though the benefit of this link is more than obvious to both parties, tennis players specifically ignore its value leaving a massive unbridgeable sink hole in the middle thereby ensuring they don’t suck in the most from the new hire.

Firing of Miles by Murray today is the perfect exhibit to prove the theory.

Here it is:

There’s a reason – a very strong reason – why the President’s cabinet members are not elected but selected. Can you imagine John McCain being elected to Obama’s inner circle? The whole government machinery would collapse even before it takes the first step.

Here’s another example: When an NBA coach takes over, the previous members of the coaching staff are usually discharged and replaced with clowns hand-picked by the new coach. NBA’s greatest coach (arguably), Phil Jackson has his own staff that gets employed wherever he works. There’s no debate on that.

Do I still have to explain any further now? Can you freaking put two and two together now?

For those just crawling from under that rock, the point is this: For Federer to instill confidence in Paul to accept the coaching gig, he has to provide ample freedom and say in what Paul is aiming to accomplish. It may not mean a complete break from his previous team but there should be no doubt left as to whose directive will supercede everyone else’s. Better still, Paul should not just be allowed but encouraged to hire his own assistants to further bolster the notion that he is in charge.

If not, either the full impact of Paul’s creative abilities will get stifled or if he is smart will not accept the job at all sensing the futility of constantly fighting the existing members to get his voice heard. With Murray’s instance as backdrop, this will weigh heavily on Paul’s mind.

Photos.

LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 26: Former USTA President Franklin Johnson shakes hands with Jim Courier after Courier was introduced as the Farmers Classic, presented by Merceds-Benz, tournament honoree at the Los Angeles Tennis Center – UCLA on July 26, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

What’s up with the freaking scarf? How long before we see one in pink – with sparkles. Geeeezzzzzz!!!!

Andy Murray has ended his three-year alliance with coach Miles Maclagan after a disagreement over the role of coaching consultant Alex Corretja. From Jenny. Thanks.

JENNY

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