Like most 18-year-olds, the Scot has spent hours sitting in front of his laptop computer, but instead of playing games, he has been studying performance analysis to keep on top of his game and also that of his opponents.
At the beginning of last year, the Scottish Institute of Sport agreed to fund a computer performance analysis consultant to work with Murray, using video and state-of-the-art software to pinpoint his strengths and weaknesses.
Pamela Stevenson laboriously recorded each of his performances. Murray and his mother, Judy, are convinced the process has been beneficial, and Stevenson said: “We are able to identify opponents’ weaknesses and Andy can use his strengths to exploit that potential. Andy thinks it gives him an edge and I’m sure it has played a part in his success.”
Murray became convinced of the benefits when he won last year’s US Open juniors after Stevenson had provided analysis. She explained: “We basically categorise all those pieces of information through the video and interactively look at those in a systematic order.
“It can be the way Andy hits his serve or an opponent returns or hits his ground strokes. We are able to identify the opponents’ weaknesses, then feed back to Andy and he is able to think how he can use his strengths to exploit that potential.”
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However, Stevenson was not courtside for Murray’s wins over George Bastl or Radek Stepanek, and watched yesterday’s third-round defeat against David Nalbandian from her Glasgow home instead of on Centre Court.
“We were not expecting Andy to be given a wild card into Wimbledon’s main draw and therefore no plans were made,” Stevenson added.
“But Judy has become sufficiently accustomed to the process and she has been filming potential opponents and Andy’s matches. I’m assured the work has been valuable.”
It will certainly prove value for money should Murray continue to progress. The teenager could earn up to £60m in winnings, endorsements and sponsorship over 10 years. He is poised to earn £6m a year on the back of his spectacular success, and he has been inundated with sponsorship offers.
Despite being relatively unknown outside the tennis world at the start of last week, having played just four senior games, Murray is now one of Britain’s most bankable sports stars. His agent, Sian Masterton, is in talks with leading firms such as the Royal Bank of Scotland, Robinson’s, Head and Fred Perry. In common with most top-flight players, his prize-money is likely to be eclipsed by earnings from endorsements. He is expected to make millions from instructional videos, television programmes and publishing deals.