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Andy Murray unfazed as hopes of SW19 win soar
James Olley and David Smith15 Jun 2009
Andy Murray has insisted the increased expectation surrounding his Wimbledon chances will not cause him to under-perform at SW19.
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.
Reader views (14)
James, Manchester - " he still hasn't won anything of note". You are obviously one of those people who think Wimbledon is the only pro tennis tournamount played. Murray actually has 12 tournament wins to his name including 3 Masters titles. Check his form since the US Open final last September, he's the form player without a doubt. He will add Grand Slams to his list you can be sure of that. And the reason he will get an easier draw is because he will be seeded number 3 (as he's ranked 3 in the world).
- Simon, London, UK, 15/06/2009 17:33
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Chris from Brighton says
"But he's also on record as saying he doesn't like the English and would support any football team playing against England. Therefore I will not support him but will support anyone he plays against"
I do not need to ask if you SAW that 'interview' live Chris - because if you had you would have heard Tim Henman, who was sitting next to Andy, mocking the poor efforts of the Scottish football team in the same tournament first. The interviewer then asked Andy who he would be supporting - odd sort of question, don't you think? - and while Henman laughed his head off, Andy said the much quoted "anyone but England".
He did not say he doesn't like the English - he has English grandparents and an english girlfriend.
Henman, the interviewer and various others have gone on record saying it was a joke aimed at Mr H and in response to his anti-Scottish footie remarks - but of course the spiteful tabloid media chose to put their own spin on it. I suspect Andy is much wiser when it comes to interviews now, but really, you have to wonder why such a question was put in the first place. Young Andy played right into the hands of the interviewer.....
But if Andy does not have the support of 'middle England' I doubt it will bother him unduly. Maybe this way he will avoid the excessive hype that poor Tim had to endure year after year....
- Scots Lass, Scotland, 15/06/2009 16:54
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Murray talks a good game but in the end he still hasn't won anything of note in the game.When it mattered in the big tournaments he had massive squeaky bum times.Needless to say now that the next one is Wimbledon, Murray, like henman before him will get the easiest draw possible. Get your money on the man who doesn't have to make excuses when he loses, yes indeed folks, the winner will be, Rafa Nadal. fill your boots.
- James, Manchester England, 15/06/2009 16:51
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and the hype begins................
- Kh, London UK, 15/06/2009 16:37
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Absolutely right Nick, I wouldn't refute that for a second. But he's also on record as saying he doesn't like the English and would support any football team plying against England. Therefore I will not support him but will support anyone he plays against.
- Chris, Brighton, England., 15/06/2009 16:27
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Yes Chris. He's Scottish and successful. Unlike that English loser Henman who won nothing.
- Nick, Aberdeen, Scotland, 15/06/2009 15:24
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I agree with bob from Cheam. And he's not Scottish.
- Chris, Brighton, England., 15/06/2009 13:47
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Brave, if not premature words from John "loser" Lloyd.
Cannot wait for the real fireworks to begin at Wimbledon, and good luck to Murray.
- Ted, London, 15/06/2009 13:33
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I'd rather Nadal win, he's a far better player and an ambassador for the sport and his country.
- Bob, Cheam, 15/06/2009 12:54
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Thomas,
I am sure Nadal has nightmares about Murray, Murray is the only player to prevent him from the Golden Slam. Nadal was not injured in the USopen last year... Murray is one year younger than Nadal, still developing as well. Its just a matter of time before Murray wins one of many slams and gets to number one, he is far too talented, multiple slam champion for sure. In something like 10 matches against the top 3 last year, he lost only one or two matches.
- Mike, London, 15/06/2009 12:46
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Wimbledon will be A M's 15th grand slam appearance, R F won his 1st gr slam at his 17th attempt. His previous 16 goes were fr,fr,32,16,fr,32,32,QF,QF,16,16,FR,FR,16,16,FR,Won. A M 32,64,FR,FR,16,16,16,32,FR,(Tsonga beat him and wen ton to final)32,QF,Final,16,QF So he compares creditably with R F. -- Rafa leaves them well behind,in his first 14 G Slams he won 3 French,2 Wimbledon finals.
- Basil, Melbourne, 15/06/2009 12:28
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Murray is the one to beat no question, Federer will have to play well to beat him, You can see even Federer was afraid of him in his last 5 matches, thats why Murray is 5-0 in his last 5 meetings against Federer. Murray is in Feds head now, not to mention the other players. Federer knows he has to come up with something special to beat Murray. The others are equally or more afraid.
- Mike, London, 15/06/2009 12:18
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What a farce. British people don't win Wimbledon and this fellow had an easy ride as Nadal was injured.
- Thomas, London, 15/06/2009 12:07
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What a load of rubbish. There's no 'Fear factor'. These players are professional. They win if they are good enough on the day and lose if they are not.
- Paul Bradford, Monflanquin, France, 15/06/2009 10:47
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