Andy Murray Needs To Be Out of His Normal Game Against Roger Federer

The very best players in the world stand out from the rest of the pack by a very long way, and often in astonishing fashion. Federer has a level of tennis genius and brilliance that is probably the greatest in history. Certainly, no one comes close to Fed in this category today.

Rafael Nadal is about phenomenal speed, strength, and the ability to hit with a combination of spin and power that few, if any, match. His mental toughness is considered by some to be not only among the greatest in tennis history, but in all of sports.

The rest of the top 10, in all honesty, are more alike than not. Not that none of them stand out: Juan Martin Del Potro's forehand is considered by some to be the hardest in the game. But still, they are basically hard-hitting baseliners with not the greatest variety, and with flat-to-medium spin.

This is where Andy Murray comes in. His game is based on an uncanny ability to change pace of shot, from aggressive to passive, and then aggressive again. He has an innate ability to really read his opponent's game and outstrategize him.

Andy gets constant criticism about needing to be more aggressive. I'm concerned about this. If he does, I feel that he is going to be "just another" top-ranked hard hitter. It's going to be even more of a grind to outslug and outhit the great power baseliners of the top 10, on a daily basis. Outside of Federer and Nadal, they all do pretty much only this to each other, and really do not stand out by a lot.

I think Andy needs to continue what he's doing, and improve on it against anyone—that is, except for Federer.

Pat Cash made a very observant comment after the Australian Open final: He stated that against Federer, you cannot counterpunch because he will knock you out in the very first blow.

Andy is doing great against all the opponents, but he will really need to amp his aggression against Federer, really taking it to him and taking the timing away from his great shotmaking. Andy will need to get outside of his comfort zone. There's really not an elaborate, detailed strategy here in my opinion. Not that he won't lose anyway against possibly the greatest tennis player in history, but by using this strategy, he has a greater chance of winning.

If Andy doesn't do this, we'll see him holding the runners-up trophy more often.