Andy Murray Achieves Fourth In World Rankings: Well Done, Mate

Continuing his best year so far, Andy Murray has guaranteed he will rise to fourth in the world rankings, after his win against Juan Martin del Potro in the US Open quarter-finals.

He will go on to meet the current world No. 1, Rafael Nadal, in a career first Grand Slam semi-final. 

Murray's reaction to his promoted ranking was one of nonchalance, and with a first Grand Slam trophy still a possibility, he was rightly so. Murray has bigger fish to fry right now. As he put it, "Winning is what really, really counts."

All in A Day's Work

However, let's not hastily dismiss what is a truly honourable achievement, for any sportsman. What Murray has done is no mean feat and should be recognised as a career milestone.

Now I've not really followed Murray's career, but, from an outsider's point of view, it seems as though he's done very well here. 

I mean, reaching a career first semi-final and becoming fourth best in the world isn't bad for a day's work, is it?

British expectations are also so high when it comes to Tennis, and it was none more apparent than during the Tim Henman era. 

Despite being a consistent top 20 player and reaching six Grand Slam semi-finals, four of which was at the biggest of them all, Wimbledon, he is commonly seen as a disappointment.

Now as far as I know, there is no law that says that a country should have a top 20 tennis player, let alone a top five player.

Despite the wealth in this country (which some people oddly use as an excuse for Great Britain's lack of success), it has proven to be more than difficult to become a success at professional tennis—another example of how money doesn't guarantee success.  

All We Need In Life is A Little Perspective

And so, I think we need to apply a little perspective here. Let me put this in plain terms: Andy Murray is officially recognised as the fourth-best player.... in the world. 

In the world.

Out of 6 billion of us, he is fourth. See? Perspective.

Talk About Pressure

In doing so, Murray has gone a long way to matching the legacies of Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski, whose career highs are also fourth.

But what surprises me the most is that I never expected him to do so well, especially considering the pressure left by Tim Henman's retirement.

Despite what you may think of Henman's lack of Grand Slam titles, Murray solely shoulders a nation's hopes and expectations. The highest level in any sport is all about pressure, and the weight of pressure Murray bears is heavier than most. 

Congratulations

So really, I just wanted to say, Andy, many congratulations on your milestone achievement. I have respect for anybody who achieves such a worthy goal under the highest pressure.

As a tennis fan living in the UK, it's exciting to know that there is a native player worthy of challenging the best. Keep it up.