Andy Murray admits family ties are a bind on his single-minded bid for US title

Chris Jones
8 Sep 2009

Andy Murray says he loves his family, but doesn't want them interfering with his bid for a first US Open title and is delighted to be the only member of the clan in New York.

While that may sound like a return to bad old days of the Kevin-the-teenager attitude, it is most assuredly not.

In fact, those days are becoming a distant memory thanks to the effect having “Team Murray” around has made on the 22-year-old who takes on the dangerous Marin Cilic, of Croatia, on centre court in the fourth round later today.

While his family — including mother Judy — are back in Britain, Murray is not alone in New York thanks to the presence of girlfriend Kim Sears and his coaching entourage of Miles Maclagen, Jezz Green, Matt Little and Andy Ireland, plus British doubles expert Ross Hutchins, his closest friend.

The group eats together each evening, dealing with the many forfeits they dream up that can involve dressing up in women's clothing or eating a giant piece of chocolate cake. Of course, it sounds trivial to anyone outside the group, but for each of the members of the Team the horse-play is a positive way to deal with the repetitive routines of professional tennis.

Murray pin-points the decision to end his association with American coach Brad Gilbert in November 2007 as the time when he started to feel happier with his tennis lot as he explained: “I did not enjoy travelling with one coach. I found it stressful, there was a lot of bickering and it carried on to the court. When I started with Brad, it was fine but after a while, I felt quite tired. I was not enjoying it. I enjoy working with the guys I am with now and there is no point getting angry.

“Mum is commentating for Eurosport and I don't think she's coming out but she hasn't told me so we'll wait and see. It's a bit nicer when you can just concentrate on the tennis and don't need extra distractions. If people are coming in every day or every match when you get closer to the end of the tournament, then I would rather they were there from the start or not there at all.

“Mum obviously understands, but if you have a few family members or family friends that haven't been over to the tennis that much, their expectations of how much they're going to get to see of you and do with you might be a little different.”

Murray's focus is solely on beating Cilic and he bridles at the suggestion that his mind has already wandered towards a potential meeting with Rafael Nadal as he prepares for possible four matches in six days.

Murray said: “ I am not going to look past someone like Cilic — it would be unbelievably stupid to do that.”

The Croat is 6ft 6ins and possesses a big serve and dangerous ground strokes, attributes that have moved him up to No16 seed at this tournament at just 20-years-old.

Murray, the leading hardcourt player of the season with 37 wins on the surface this year, has seen fifth seed Andy Roddick knocked out early on and doesn't want to share his fate.

“If you don't concentrate you will lose,” said Murray who knows the height of Cilic will be a factor in the match.

“Roddick lost a match that no one would have expected to. It happens sometimes in Slams, you need to make sure you're switched on right from the start.

“Being tall is obviously a factor because those players can hit spots on the court that others can't because of their height and reach. They have got more angles they can play with and you just have to get used to the serve.”

Cilic, who has lost on grass, hard court and clay in the three previous meetings with the Scot, is very happy to be considered one of the new breed of “giants” populating the game and is hoping this physical advantage can negate the most dangerous areas of Murray's game.

Cilic admitted: “He has some big shots, but it's not like he is going to hit you out of the court. He always lets people play against him. It is hard to say what the best tactics will be against him — certainly not to rush too much and use controlled aggression.”

Murray is playing too well to be troubled too much by Cilic although it may not be a repeat of the straight sets win over Taylor Dent in the third round.

The Scot should progress and knows he must finish at least one round ahead of Nadal to hang onto his No2 world ranking and with the Spaniard hampered by an abdominal injury ahead of his clash with Frenchman Gael Monfils , it would be a major surprise if he lasts long enough to set up a possible semi-final clash with Murray.

That is where they met last year when Murray triumphed before losing the final to Roger Federer. But Nadal today issued a defiant message about his injury and wrote on his website: “There were lots of rumours saying I would retire, injured. Well, that's not going to be the case and you will see me playing on Tuesday.”