MURRAY NEEDS A LOVE GAME

Champ is out of sorts and limping into Wimbledon, but believes ‘special place’ can inspire him to further glory

ANDY MURRAY wants to lift the spirits of the nation in this troubled summer. But first the world No.1 needs Wimbledon to inspire him.

The top seed limps into his title defence badly lacking in form and fitness, with no grasscourt wins and a sore hip. It promises to be another dramatic chapter in his relationship with this part of south-west London. The 30-year-old has produced many moments to make the country cry and cheer here since his debut as a spindly teenager – from tears after losing the 2012 final to the raucous celebrations of his Olympic gold medal and two singles titles. Now the Surreybased Scot is a member of the All England Club and feels quite at home in SW19. But he will need all the home comforts when he walks, however gingerly, out on Centre Court on Monday to face lucky loser Alexander Bublik in the first round. “It’s a special place to play,” he said. “When I get out there, if I’m not feeling nerves and I don’t feel any pressure and I’m not motivated, I wouldn’t be playing any more. “If I’m not feeling that way when I go out to play that event, it won’t be worth doing all the work and stuff. I love playing there. I feel I’ve played some of my best tennis on that court during my career. “Wimbledon is nice and quiet during the year. I’m very familiar with the surroundings. Maybe for some of the players, each time they get back there it feels extra special. I spend so much time there during the year that it just feels more comfortable, more than anything.” Knighted and named BBC Sports Personality of the Year for the third time, Murray has become a national treasure. And the British No.1, now the father of 17-month-old Sophia, has been deeply moved by the terrorist attacks and the Grenfell Tower disaster. He donated his prize money from Queen’s Club to the victims of the fire and wants the power of sport to put a smile on people’s faces – and recreate the feelgood factor of the 2012 London Olympics. “I want to do well,” he said. “It’s a big, big event in the British sporting calendar. I’m hoping I can turn it around, play some good tennis and hopefully have a great run again and make it an interesting summer. “2012 was amazing. I’ve been lucky to be at a few Olympics. But in London it was amazing. The only time when I’ve seen the city like that was when I went to watch the London Marathon when my wife was running. “People come out and support each other. It’s a strong, strong community. ‘‘You don’t see it all of the time, but in special circumstances, with everything that’s happened, you’ve seen it. “A lot of the communities have come together and are very supportive. “You can see it through sports, like the Olympics or the marathon. It’s great when everyone gets together.”