Andy Murray is so driven to add to his two grand slam titles that going out in the last 16 of the US Open is never going to go down too well.
But, you get the impression that if there was ever a time when it was a bit more acceptable, it was this week.
He’d have been gutted at the time, but you got the impression from the way he spoke after his defeat to Kevin Anderson that he felt in himself this wasn’t going to be his tournament.
He fought his heart out as always but the energy levels weren’t at his very highest, and his game wasn’t quite there either.
The cold he had would have played a part and so too would the busy summer.
We’ve become so accustomed to him rattling through the early rounds in recent years that alarm bells were ringing when he kept getting taken into four or five sets.
If it hadn’t been Anderson, it would probably have been Wawrinka who would have knocked him out. And that’s before you talk about Federer and Djokovic.
I think the fact that the Davis Cup semi-final is up next week has also made it much easier for him to deal with.
Now that Britain are at this stage, it will be a real priority for him. In fact, given the lack of success for GB over the years winning the whole thing could even be on a par with the grand slams.
Just look at how emotional he gets at the end of a match when we win.
This will probably be a once in a career chance for him, just as it was in the Olympics.
Murray was a hero for London 2012, a hero for winning the first grand slam, a hero for winning Wimbledon, and he’ll be a hero if he wins us the Davis Cup.
Let’s face it, he needs a bit of help from his brother in the doubles, but it’s all about Andy in the singles. He has to win both for us to have any chance.
Throw in the fact that it’s at Glasgow, and it will be as highly a motivated Andy Murray at the Emirates next week as you’ll ever see.
I’ve got tickets for the Sunday and it’s set to be one of the sporting events of the year.
* I’m writing this week’s column from our first tournament in Canada.
We’re staying in a place called St Johns which is about a 20 minute drive to Paradise. It literally is called Paradise!
Forget winning the event, I’ll just be happy if we all end up in one piece because I’m the dedicated driver for the week! It’s a big 4×4, driving on the other side of the road, but thankfully I’ve managed not to crash so far!
Both my brothers are out here competing as well.
Glen is playing with Tom Brewster this season and Thomas is playing with Kyle Smith.
I couldn’t believe it when Thomas said it’s his first time competing in Canada. He’s played three World Juniors, a University Games and a Youth Olympics, but never in Canada.
He’s in his element playing alongside the greats of the game.
So it’s been a fun week, but it will be even more fun if we get through to the play-offs and go all the way to the final.