I’LL BRING THE NOISE

Fired-up Murray vows to ramp up volume

ANDY MURRAY is preparing for a “weird” atmosphere on his return to the empty Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open today.

The Scot won his first Grand Slam title (inset below) amid the frenzied noise of the world’s biggest tennis arena in 2012.

But when Murray faces Japan’s world No.48 Yoshihito Nishioka at 5pm UK time, the 23,200-seat stadium will be deserted apart from a handful of coaches and officials.

With the tournament being played behind closed doors following the Covid-19 pandemic, three-time Major champion Murray said: “It will be tricky – obviously the atmosphere at the matches is going to be zero.

“I play my first match on Arthur Ashe and I have played in some of the best atmospheres that I’ve ever played tennis in on that court.

“To go out there in such a huge stadium and have literally no one in the stands is going to be weird. I know that’s going to be the case, so at least I can prepare for it mentally.

“It’s different, but I’m just looking forward to getting to compete in a Slam again.

“I guess you just have to try to find what works for you. When I go on the court, if I was basically quiet, not show any emotion and not talk,

I’d feel uncomfortable.

“There’s a level of intensity that I feel I need to bring. I feel like I need to make sound on the court, make noise in order to play my best.”

There is a potential thirdround meeting between Murray and Dan Evans this weekend. But Evans said: “We both know there are two tough matches in front of us. I have got to focus on my first match.”

Evans, the No.23 seed, starts today against Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild.

And the British No.1 said: “I don’t know so much about him, he had a good week in Rio or Santiago. It’s a tough one.”

Meanwhile, Cameron Norrie came from two sets down to beat No.9 seed Diego Schwartzman.

The Brit hit back to claim a sensational 3-6 4-6 6-2 6-1 7-5 first round victory last night.

JO KONTA has revealed her hurt at being mocked by her fellow pros when she was involved in the Battle of the Brits.

Ahead of her all-brit US Open first-round clash with Heather Watson today, Konta

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