Andy Murray’s ascension to the ATP rankings summit is indeed a phenomenal achievement. After spending most of his career in the shadow of Roger Federer, Rafel Nadal and Novak Djokovic, the Scotsman was officially crowned as the world number one yesterday, marking a historic moment for him and Britain, considered perennial underachievers in tennis despite the vast popularity the game enjoys there.
Murray dethroned Djokovic after Milos Raonic pulled out of their semi-final in Paris on Saturday. Earlier, Djokovic had lost his quarter-final match against Marin Cilic. Djokovic had held on to the top ranking for a whopping 122 weeks before relinquishing it to the 29-year-old Briton who became the oldest player in history to claim the honour.
Murray, who beat American John Isner in Paris for his eighth tournament win of the year and fourth in a row, should be top for at least two weeks. He is 405 points above Djokovic in the new rankings but the Serb could go top again if he lands a fifth straight Tour Finals crown in London. But that should not stop Murray from savouring his feat.
Murray’s Paris victory also means the ‘Big Four’ have now won 56 of the last 61 Masters events dating back to Monte Carlo in 2010, but the Scot’s tally of just three Grand Slam titles leaves him well short of his rivals.
It is something that Murray can improve upon. Known for his never-say-die spirit and mindboggling stamina levels, Murray’s latest achievement will only spur him on.

QSL coach carousel

If you searched the Internet for ‘10 risky jobs that pay big bucks’, the one option that won’t come up is becoming the coach of a football team. But it sure will make it to that list in the current scenario. In football leagues across the world, coaches are given very little wiggle room. Win or perish is the mandate.
And this approach is even more pronounced when you consider the Qatar Stars League.
The current 2016-17 QSL season began in September and with just six matches having been played by each team so far, four coaches have already lost their jobs. The most high-profile case would be that of Gerardo Pelusso. Al Arabi brought in the Uruguayan after letting go of Gianfranco Zola at the end of the last season. With quite a few player signings, title chances were being talked up but two wins and four losses, didn’t sit well with the management and it was goodbye time. The other heads to roll are: Amar Osim – Al Kharaitiyat, Luka Bonacic – Al Ahli and Fathi al-Jabal – Al Shahania. While Osim had a long run (since 2014), the other two were appointed earlier this year.
Six matches cannot be indicator for what the team is capable of achieving over the entire season. The added pressure of the next QSL season being a 12-team affair is prompting further ruthlessness from the team managements. But the blame cannot rest solely with the coaches. The team management plays an equal part in recruitment of players. A focus on getting good talent – local or international – should be a better approach. Short-term appointments are a disruption rather than a solution.