Andy Murray was reminded on Saturday that the one time he performed a fellow Brit before at Wimbledon was in 2016, when he went on to win the title.
‘Sensible. Nice. Can we begin celebrating now?’ responded the Scot together with his common humour, as dry because the chalk dust that once used to line the All England Club courts.
He was referring to a distant victory over compatriot Liam Broady, which on Tuesday is prone to be replicated when he faces 267-ranked wild card Ryan Peniston.
Murray’s long history at SW19 follows him everywhere at the moment of 12 months, which he as soon as admitted would imply the annual onset of mouth ulcers because of anxiousness.
He nonetheless admits to nerves when he’s across the Centre Court docket, however lately is more relaxed as he intends to relish each go to whereas he nonetheless can.
Andy Murray (left) has admitted he has an thought of when he wish to retire however believes he’s nonetheless ‘among the finest grass-court gamers on this planet’
The Scot will tackle Ryan Peniston (pictured above) within the opening spherical of Wimbledon on Tuesday in an all-British affair
Murray (left) has been getting ready on Saturday for the event finishing a apply session with Novak Djokovic (proper)
Saturday concerned one other flashback, in that his apply associate for 2 hours was Novak Djokovic, the person he beat to win his first title 10 years in the past. Murray can boast that he stays the final man to have defeated the good Serb on Centre Court docket, as his solely two subsequent defeats each occurred on No 1.
Now 36 and with a metallic hip, Murray is simply too conscious his time on the high stage is finite, which feeds his enjoyment of what he has left.
‘As you get in the direction of the latter stage of your profession, you need to profit from these alternatives since you don’t know what number of extra instances you’ll be right here,’ he mentioned. ‘I’ve an thought in my head of once I wish to cease. That’s not definitive. Numerous that’s simply I feel it’s good that so you can begin planning somewhat bit.’
Murray’s final Grand Slam title got here in 2016 and he believes he’s in good stead to problem once more this 12 months
He’ll, nonetheless, not be doing one thing much like Rafael Nadal, who introduced he’s sitting out this season within the hope that he can mount a farewell tour in 2024.
‘I don’t suppose I’d announce something means forward of time as a result of I need to play so long as I can while I’m nonetheless aggressive. I need to end on my phrases once I’m match and wholesome and competing at a very good stage. I’m conscious, primarily based on how my final 5, six years have gone, that issues can change in a short time, you may’t management that completely.’
Roger Federer, for instance, additionally is aware of that solely too properly. The final set he performed turned out to be in 2021, and he misplaced it 6-0.
It’s clear that Murray is still ambitious at this tournament, and he arrives ranked 39, his highest place because the onset of hip issues in 2017. ‘I can’t say I’d stroll away from the event and be actually disenchanted if I carried out how I nonetheless suppose I can.
‘That’s what I need to do at this event. I need to go on the market and carry out at a stage that I’m proud of. I do really feel like I’m in a extremely good place to try this. I’ve the expertise at this event.
‘There’s just one participant within the draw that has extra expertise of enjoying right here than me, which is Novak. I want to make use of that to my benefit.
‘I consider I’m among the finest grass-court gamers on this planet, and I’m bodily feeling actually good. I ready properly, so there’s no cause why I can’t have a very good event.’ Peniston needs to be a comparatively simple introduction, though Murray was eager to not dismiss him: ‘He’s had some good wins on the floor. A lefty, he strikes very properly. I should be prepared for that one.’
Murray is prone to have half an eye already on a potential second round in opposition to quantity 5 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The Greek left him livid after they met on the 2021 US Open by taking a chronic rest room break —the Scot shouldn’t be an enormous fan, and that can solely encourage him extra for a in all probability early night showdown subsequent Thursday.
Murray mentioned he ‘felt he was in a very good place’ to problem subsequent week however admitted he was going to relish the chance to play at Wimbledon as soon as once more
Murray (left) defeated Djokovic (proper) to win his first title at Wimbledon in 2013 and admitted it was ‘good to be again out on the court docket with him’ forward of the Championship
Murray (pictured above) might be some of the skilled gamers within the area subsequent week, alongside Djokovic, and admits he’ll look to utilise that subsequent week
Against this, he has at all times remained on first rate phrases with Djokovic, though the Serb has damaged his coronary heart usually sufficient, notably on the Australian Open.
‘It was good to be again on the court docket with him once more,’ mentioned Murray, happy by how he formed up in opposition to the participant who’s the gold customary.
‘The factor that it’s a must to admire about him is that he’s been very clear on what it’s that he needs to realize, attempting to get that Grand Slam file.
‘When he put himself able to try this he delivered. He didn’t appear to be he was getting nervous or overthinking it or any of these issues. It reveals the power of character that he’s obtained.’
