Andy Murray Needs to Summon the Rory McIlroy Spirit for Sporting Immortality

Rory McIlroy confounded the critics who queried his nerve and his ability to hold onto a commanding lead after his US Masters collapse in April, by racing to a famous and dominant US Open victory on Sunday evening.



Can Murray end that 75 year wait?

I blogged here and here about how enormous that success would be in the history of golf. Now, as a sporting fan of some compare, I'm looking forward towards the remainder of Wimbledon as another British sportsman looks to emmulate McIlroy's reach towards the sporting Gods.

Andy Murray - Wimbledon Champion?
Having won the Queens Tournament running into Wimbledon and having reached the semi-finals of the French open in impressive style prior to that, Murray is clearly in very good form.

But can he really do what no British man has done in 75 years?

Back in January, on the eve of his Australian Open final, I blogged here about that interminably long wait for a British man to walk out from Fred Perry's long shadow. Unfortunately, Djokovic comfortably dispatched of Murray in that final which made it 3 losses out of 3 Grand Slam final appearances for the boy from Dunblane.

Fred Perry won his last Grand Slam at the US Open in 1936 just months after winning at Wimbledon. It is those marks that any British sports fan will hope that Murray can overcome in the days ah.

He has never reached a Wimbledon final - indeed no British man has done so since Bunny Austin in 1938.

Nadal, Federer, Djokovic, Murray
Murray clearly has the ability to win his first slam and to do so, at of all places, Wimbledon. It would also be incredibly apt for him to do so on the 75th anniversary of Perry's last victory and on the 125th anniversary of Wimbledon itself.

But he needs the fight, the sheer belief and determination and the focus shown by McIlroy at the Congressional Country Club golf course in Maryland, USA last weekend to do so.

It will all be required and some to overcome the likes of reigning champion Nadal, 6 times Wimbledon winner Federer and the seasonal form man Djokovic - all of whom along with Murray make up an impregnable Top 4 in the men's World game at present.

Murray Vs McIlroy?

What is certain is that Murray will join McIlroy in the pantheon of British sporting legends if he can do so.

What is incredible is that despite McIlroy's heroics last weekend, if Murray is indeed successful in his quest this Wimbledon, he will not only walk out of Perry's shadow but will in doing so, more than put McIlroy's magnificent achievement into the shade.