Murray has the ability but must win the mental battle

â??It’s a final we’ve become used to. Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic are without doubt not only two of the best tennis players in the world but athletes. The skill and technique the world was invited to watch today was phenomenal and a joy to watch.

Andy Murray actually had the better tournament going into the final. He looked assured, confident and comfortable throughout the Australian Open, as opposed to Djokovic who seemed to progress because of the experience he has at the level.

The British number one is only beaten by one thing. Belief. Murray is an incredibly emotional personality and it’s those emotions that get in the way of him being the reigning champion he can be. Murray doesn’t lose to Nadal and Djokovic because he can’t match their ability. In fact there’s things he can do that the others can’t.

Mental battle

He loses and lost today because he loses the mental battle. Murray has heart and posses the best fighter-like qualities of all the elite players. But when he loses the battles of the mind, he loses the match.

The key to winning sport at this level isn’t ability, because you can squeeze a piece a tissue between the five best. It’s being able to win, when you’re not at your best.

Real champions don’t make excuses. Real champions don’t sulk and feel sorry for themselves. Real champions don’t look at the opposition. Real champions look at themselves. Real champions find a way. And that’s what the world number one did.

He wasn’t at his best and wasn’t the better player for large parts. But he waited for his opportunity and pounced. Murray blew the chance to take some crucial break points and when Djokovic had his chance he didn’t do likewise.

The Serbian is probably the fittest athlete in the world and the most consistent tennis player. He hasn’t had the best tournament, yet still won his eighth grand slam. He’s still well short of rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. But unlike those two, he’s got time on his side.

He’s now level with Andre Agassi, Ken Rosewall, Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors and Fred Perry. And the smart money is on Djokovic going ahead of those greats before he returns to Melbourne to defend his title. The Serbian’s main strength is his defence.

If Djokovic was a boxer, he’d be world champion – demonstrating that the best boxers aren’t those who hit the hardest, but those who can take the hardest hits. He recovers points, it seems physically impossible to recover – and not only that, he turns them into winners. His baseline game is impenetrable at times, and that’s what Murray couldn’t cope with.

If the Scot wants to add to his two grand slams he has to win the battles of minds with his friend of 15 years, because Djokovic isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Murray has done enough to prove himself a worthy champion. The question is does he want to go to the next level and become a great? Because he definitely posses the ability to do so.