Er, don’t you need a racket Andy...
YOU know summer is here when Andy Murray makes his first appearance on grass. The world No 1 was given a good work-out by his training team in the shadow of the new Centre Court at Queen’s Club in west London yesterday.
Murray did 20 minutes’ resistance training with Matt Little followed by a 45-minute knock-up as he prepares for his latest assault on the Wimbledon title.
Novak Djokovic is considering a surprise seaside tonic prior to Wimbledon by entering Eastbourne’s aegon international.
The world No 4 has made an enquiry about taking a late wildcard into a tournament better known for its strong women’s field than for hosting the top men.
it has become highly unusual for one of the elite men to play a tour event in the week before a Grand Slam. and Djokovic has not played a regular aTP tournament on grass between Paris and Wimbledon since 2010.
However, an LTa spokesperson confirmed: ‘Novak’s team have contacted us to enquire about the opportunity of a wildcard for the aegon international. We understand that they are considering a number of options and that they will make their plans known shortly.’
Sources have told Sportsmail that Djokovic may be close to appointing a coach to travel with him on a regular basis. He is said to be looking for someone coming towards the end of their own career on the tour. czech Radek Stepanek and Serbian doubles expert Nenad Zimonjic have apparently been considered.
andre agassi is expected to spend some time at Wimbledon with Djokovic, like he did at the French open, although it seems clear his availability in general will be sporadic.
Djokovic had recently satisfied himself with playing one or two exhibition matches at the Boodles event at Berkshire’s Stoke Park in the week before Wimbledon, but he is always open to new ideas.
johanna konta yesterday made it to the quarter-final of the aegon open Nottingham with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Belgium’s Yanina Wickmayer — her doubles partner.