Can Wozniacki learn from Andy Murray?

Andy Murray conquered years of questions and self-doubt to win his first US Open title.  Caroline Wozniacki so far has chosen a different path to Murray and now appears to be regressing in her career.  Is it too late for Wozniacki to win a major title?

After his first three major final losses and other disappointments, Murray accepted change was needed to his game mentally and tactically.  By appointing Ivan Lendl as coach, Murray showed to the world he was prepared to take tough decisions. 

The memo is that Lendl first approached Murray’s representatives towards the end of 2011 with a view to working with Murray.  Not that it matters who approached whom as it was clear changes needed to be made to Murray’s game if he wanted to win a major title.  Since the appointment at the beginning of January, Murray’s game more or less looks the same but the changes are more subtle.  

First of all, Murray has cut down markedly on the temper tantrums on court.  You still see Murray holding his leg and having a “whinge” from time to time but Murray never has a go at Lendl.  Lendl was one of the greatest players of the game and Murray has too much respect to try that on, and would be roundly condemned by the media if he did.  

Murray also plays an instinctively counterpunching game but has the ability to be a proactive player, he has the height and the power to do it, but a combination of slower surfaces and mentality contrived to see Murray play a more defensive game more often than not, especially in the major finals.

What Lendl has brought to the table is how to deal with the big pressure situations and encourage Murray to be more expansive with his forehand.  For years, Murray would hit crosscourt repeatedly, as in a practice drill, Murray was aware that it was not enough at the highest level.  We will never see Murray camp on the backhand side and hit inside out forehands like Lendl but Murray has certainly added more variation to the shot, although he’s yet to master the inside in forehand from the backhand corner of the court.

For sure, Murray didn’t play an exciting brand of tennis against Novak Djokovic in the US open final but the conditions certainly played a factor in that.  Delivering a major after so many attempts may relax him and in his next final we may see the best of Murray.

With this in mind, where does Caroline Wozniacki fit in the picture?  Wozniacki has received all of the criticisms for her game style and mentality as Murray has done over the years.  Like Murray, Wozniacki is blessed with height and athleticism but chooses to play a counterpunching style which limits her chances at grand slam level.  However, not only is it limiting her chances at grand slam level, the grinding style of play is also taking its toll on her physically and mentally.

During Wozniacki’s reign as world number from late 2010 to early 2012, there were lots of calls for her to improve her game.  The areas identified as needing work were her serve, forehand and transition game to the net (volleys).  Wozniacki and her father/coach often refuted those suggestions, saying that everything was fine and being number 1 was proof of that.  But everyone can improve even when the world’s best.  Justine Henin worked hard on improving her forehand to make her a formidable player, Lindsay Davenport worked hard on getting fitter.

Wozniacki gave the impression that she wasn’t prepared to make the necessary changes to improve her game.  However, after a year of successive disappointments at Grand Slam level in 2011, it looked as though constructive criticism was taken on board because Ricardo Sanchez was hired to work with her. However, after a few weeks it became apparent that the arrangement was a sham and Piotr Wozniacki was pulling the strings.  Sanchez was fired not too long afterwards and complained that he was not allowed to do the job he wanted.  

Since that strange appointment, Wozniacki’s form has dipped alarmingly this year.  She has not progressed beyond the 4th rd of any grand slam event and has dropped out of the top 10 for the first time in three seasons.

Wozniacki can learn from Murray’s acceptance that help was needed if he was to transition from underachiever to grand slam champion.  Murray has struggled on the tour this year, but Lendl was brought in to help Murray win a major, not Miami, his experience and advice has proved invaluable.  Wozniacki has shown so far she is not prepared to put her hand in her pocket to hire a top class coach who she can put her trust in.  

As a result Wozniacki’s career now stands at a crossroad.  If she takes the wrong decisions, she could vanish into obscurity.  Or she can swallow her pride and take the courageous step of bringing in someone who could her improve significantly, it’s her call.