Murray: I was right to pull out
ANDY MURRAY has reiterated his claim it was the right decision to pull out of Wimbledon – and has backed Novak Djokovic to win it.
Murray, champion in 2013 and 2016, will make his commentary debut for the BBC today and believes Djokovic is in the mood to triumph for a fourth time.
After seeing the Serb emotionally react to a hostile Centre Court crowd in his win over British No 1 Kyle Edmund, Murray said: “Novak could beat both Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal. He looks fired up and motivated and has a great shot.
“He has said himself the mental side was difficult last year.
“There was a dip in motivation after winning all four slams in 12 months in 2015-16, which must have taken a lot out of him. I like to see him reacting to being booed by the crowd like he was this year – it helped his performance. He is really pumped.”
Murray also insisted he did not regret his decision to withdraw, saying: “I just didn’t feel right. I was desperate to play. That is why it was a good decision. I did not want to let emotions take over.”
Murray, who has been nursing a hip injury for more than a year, hopes to return to the world circuit next month. In the doubles, British wild card Joe Salisbury and Danish partner Frederik Nielsen beat Ben McLachlan and Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6.
Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares lost to Raven Klaasen and Michael Venus 7-6, 6-7, 7-5, 6-7, 4-6, while Dominic Inglot and Franko Skugor edged Robert Lindstedt and Robin Haase 6-3, 6-7, 7-6, 6-4.