The hunt is on: who will be the next Andy Murray?
Before panic sets in, it's best to make clear that there is no job vacancy at the moment – the world No.3 is planning to play on for many a year yet, but at the age of 28, Scotland’s finest has more past than future at the very, very top of the game.
So, who will be able to step into the great man’s shoes when he finally decides to hang up his rackets? Kyle Edmund has been picked by many as a candidate – even Murray has, in the past, rewarded the 20-year-old Yorkshireman with an invitation to his annual boot camp in Miami in the off-season. That is a sure sign that Murray, a real workhorse in training, is impressed with a player's work ethic, potential and general attitude.
For the moment, though, Murray’s place at the centre of the nation’s affections is assured – Edmund failed to get past the first round of The Championships on Day Two, losing 7-6(4), 6-1, 6-2 to Alexandr Dolgopolov from Ukraine. Edmund has a bit of growing up to do on the tennis circuit before he will be in a position to challenge Murray but, so far, the signs are promising. He works hard, he has obvious talent and he is more than willing to learn from every experience. And playing Dolgopolov was an experience.
The Yorkshireman had pinned everything on this week. Five weeks ago, he fought his way through the qualifying competition at the French Open and then won his first main draw, Grand Slam match by beating Stephane Robert. That set him up with a second-round crack at Nick Kyrgios but Edmund had other plans. He had hurt a stomach muscle during his week in Paris and with the grass-court season fast approaching, he wanted to rest up and be ready for Wimbledon. Edmund had his priorities sorted.
Unfortunately, no amount of physiotherapy and doctors’ ministrations could prepare the world No.101 for an afternoon with the man they call “The Dog”. The trainer who came on to massage his right shoulder in the second set clearly didn’t make a difference either. Dolgopolov is a crafty, cunning and beguiling player who beat Rafael Nadal at Queen’s Club this year and in Indian Wells last year, who was the world No.12 three years ago and who has earned more in the past six months than Edmund has in his career.
Dolgopolov is lightning fast and bamboozles his foes with a range of spins and slices, with style and guile. And then there is his serve. It is so quick that the ball has barely left his hand before he is into his action and whipping the shot into the furthest reaches of the court, places his opponent had never thought to cover.
Still, for a set, Edmund was in with a chance. He was keeping pace with the Ukrainian and he was making the world No.75 work for his corn. Dolgopolov broke; Edmund broke back. Dolgopolov cracked down an ace or two; Edmund did likewise. It was nip and tuck until the tie-break and even then, Edmund drew first blood. But his older, wiser and craftier rival held firm: one cracking return got the mini-break back and an Edmund error gave Dolgopolov the lead. A couple of moments later, Dolgopolov was a set to the good.
When the boys with the calculators broke it all down – they love to crunch a number these stats chaps – there was not a huge amount in it. It all came down to the serve: Edmund could not return Dolgopolov’s and Dolgopolov was having Edmund’s second serve on toast.
So, for the moment Murray’s position is safe. But keep your eyes on Edmund – he has the ambition to succeed and the hunger to work and learn. And keep your eyes on Dolgopolov, too: on his day, he is a handful for anyone on any surface.
