ANDY: IT’S SO TOUGH AT TOP
Murray’s got one brute of a job
SIR ANDY MURRAY has declared life on top of the sporting planet utterly “brutal”.
The Wimbledon champion launches his defence on Centre Court tomorrow with his body battered and bruised after an extraordinary 12 months full of magnificent highs and disappointing lows.
But if Murray, who was 30 in May, admits the build-up to his home Grand Slam has been far from ideal – with a first-round exit to unknown Aussie Jordan Thompson at Queen’s Club compounded by a sore hip denying him vital practice on grass – he is not moaning and groaning.
Quite the opposite, in fact, because he insists rolling with such punches – mentally and physically – are part and parcel of being an elite athlete at the pinnacle of your profession. World No.1 Murray, who faces lucky loser Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan in round one, said: “Tennis is a tough sport to be involved in and the demands we put on our bodies on a daily basis are huge.
“It’s rare to find a player that is 100 per cent fit but that’s the brutal reality of most elite sport.
“It’s about managing your body and your training as best you can – so that when the time comes you’re as ready as possible to perform at the highest level.”
Even so, Murray really has endured more than his fair share of injury and illness issues in 2017. Last year, once he claimed his second Wimbledon title, the Scot was invincible, winning titles galore en route to a spectacular first ATP Tour Finals triumph at The O2 in London where he cemented his place as the world’s best player.
However, he has certainly paid a hefty price for that six-month winning streak.
Since the Australian Open, Murray has had to overcome shingles, a serious elbow problem and a couple of nasty bouts of flu.
Throw in a string of shock early defeats across the season and it is not difficult to see why the three-time Grand Slam champion and double Olympic gold medallist is only fourth favourite with some bookies to conquer the All England Club behind Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Last month, at the French Open, there were encouraging signs that he was nearing his brilliant best again when he made the semis before bowing out to Stan Wawrinka.
Yet a few weeks on, he appears back to square one – with that crocked hip seriously hindering his practice time on court.
Murray, who completed THREE separate one- hour hitting sessions at Wimbledon yesterday, added: “The planning and preparation hasn’t gone as I would have liked but there’s nothing I can do to change that now.
“Players going into tournaments with injuries and niggles is nothing new. It happens frequently.
“The schedule is demanding and matches are often tough on the body so it’s about recovery and getting yourself ready for the next one.
“Over the years I’ve entered plenty of tournaments with less than ideal preparation. You just need to accept that it will be the case sometimes and find a way.”
Murray’s prestigious place at the head of the men’s rankings may not last much longer. The pack below are closing in with in-form Nadal the most likely t o overtake him at t hese Championships.
Seeded one here for the first time, Glasgow-born Murray must make the second week and at least match the Spaniard’s run after that to avoid being toppled.
The Scot has nothing but admiration for the length of time Nadal, Federer and Djokovic managed to stay at No.1.
But as tough as it has been to hold on to his throne, he relishes the scrap for supremacy.
“Those three are probably three of the best players of all time,” said Murray.
“What they’ve achieved has been incredible, especially their
ability to win consistently and under pressure.
“People often ask me about the pressure of being number one but it’s not something I think about.
“So far this year has been difficult with injuries and illness.
“Now it’s important I get back to winning ways. That’s all I am thinking about.”
Nobody outside the Big Four has won Wimbledon since Lleyton Hewitt in 2002 but Murray believes there are a number of rising stars who pose a genuine threat.
He said: “The tour just now is incredibly competitive – there are lots of good young guys coming through, big servers who play with no fear, going for every ball.
“That’s great for the sport. And, personally, I love that. I see it as a challenge.”