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Rusedski claims Murray has mental restriction

Andy Murray was in total control against Robin Soderling © Getty Images

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Greg Rusedski claims a mental hindrance is preventing Andy Murray winning a maiden grand slam title.

Murray produced an extremely classy display to beat Robin Soderling 6-2 6-4 in the opening match of the ATP World Tour Finals on Sunday, handing the British No. 1 an excellent opportunity to reach the semi-finals of the season-ending tournament.

Having started the year so well by reaching the Australian Open final, it is with some disappointment that Murray enters the O2 Arena competition with only two titles to his name in 2010. At 23 years of age, he is still searching for a first grand slam triumph, and Rusedski insists he must start thinking like a top player.

"The biggest question mark for him is to have that consistency of the top players and mentally being at that level," Rusedski told Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme.

"That is the 1% he has to add to his game that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have already. If he does that then he has a good chance to win majors because the talent is there. He is a phenomenally talented player.

"Being a top player is about having that belief and remaining calm when the pressure points arise and being calm enough to take those opportunities."

Rusedski's criticisms carry some irony, given that the mental side of the game often cost the big-serving left-hander during his own career. However, Rusedski insists Murray has history weighing in his favour.

"He will have his chance in a ten-year-career," he said. "If you've made the top ten before the age of 20 (as Murray did in April 2007) only one player in the history of the game has not won a major and that is Marcelo Rios. So for me the statistics look really good for Andy Murray, and he is too good a player not to win a major."

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