Andy Murray unfazed as hopes of SW19 win soar

The world No3 captured the AEGON Championships with a straight sets victory over James Blake at Queen's Club yesterday to heighten optimism he can end Britain's 73-year wait for a Grand Slam champion.

Murray revealed he celebrated his victory last night with a curry but no alcohol and believes the only pressure that matters is that which he puts on himself.

"A lot of people — not Tim Henman or Greg Rusedski — but ex-players use it as an excuse as to why someone British has not won Wimbledon for so long but I, personally, don't think its makes any difference once the tournament starts," said the 22-year-old.

"The build up beforehand is a little bit more stressful than other tournaments but once it starts, its like all the other Slams and you get great support in every one of your matches.

Everyone wants you to win and that's a huge help.

"I put a lot of pressure on myself and I expect a lot from myself in the big tournaments and that helps me to play better. Today I am not going to practise and then all the other days I will be
practising at Wimbledon, starting tomorrow. I have got some go-karting planned at some point as a late birthday present that was booked in so I will try and fit that in."

Murray has been lauded for the physical improvements he has made in the last 18 months but the Scot believes the mental consequences of that development hold the key to his hopes of emulating Fred Perry's victory at Wimbledon in 1936.

"The physical side has made a huge difference to the mental side of my game," he added.

"When I was younger and not in this shape, you go into matches with doubts, not knowing whether you can last the whole match, if you lose the first set or get behind, you may not be able to come back.

"When you spend a lot of time in the gym and are suffering off the court, it makes the tennis matches seem a lot easier. Now I can go in with a clear head, no excuses or doubts in the back of my mind. It is not like I have been to see a sports physiologist or anything, it is just there in my head."

Great Britain's Davis Cup captain John Lloyd believes Murray's opponents are heading into The Championships afraid of the Scot.

Murray became the first homegrown player since Henry Bunny' Austin in 1938 to triumph at Queen's Club and Lloyd said: "Andy has got that presence about him now. When players see him, they have this respect. They know that he's so much stronger, physically and mentally, that it brings a fear factor to the game. Quite frankly, they're worried about Andy."

Murray is richer by £76,000 after claiming his fourth ATP Tour title of the season and one big difference for the British No1 is that he has more confidence in his serve and feels capable of overpowering his rivals.

He added: "I'm stronger and I serve more like a man now. I had to start working harder because I knew I had to get fitter and stronger. I made some changes and obviously I'm a much better player now."

Improved consistency has also been key to Murray's progress. He said: "Last year I could play well in some matches, and then the next day I could play poorly. I've just been a lot more consistent this year. I've very rarely lost early in any of the tournaments."

Murray said he has also learned to tame his fiery temper, adding: "That's always going to be part of me but I don't show it as much. Before, I was very up when I won points and very down when I lost points. I'm a lot more level headed now."

Against Blake, Murray worked the angles brilliantly and spiced his game with both power from the baseline and delicacy at the net. But that booming serve will be his biggest weapon at Wimbledon.

The Scot, who crashed down 38 aces at Queen's, said: "For the last couple of years I could serve big, big serves. But I could also miss serves by two or three metres. The consistency wasn't there because I wasn't strong enough to keep it up for long periods in matches."

The conditioning work undertaken by fitness coach Miles Maclagan and his team could also pay extra dividends during Wimbledon fortnight, when Murray will almost certainly have to endure some gruelling five-setters if he is to finish the fortnight with a historic title in his hands.