MURRAY: BEST IS YET TO COME
ANDY MURRAY insisted he will get even better after capturing his third Grand Slam title at the age of 29 with a stunning straightsets victory over Milos Raonic in yesterday’s Wimbledon final.
The Scot had to endure a three-year wait to add to his collection of major trophies after winning at SW19 for the first time in 2013, losing in three Grand Slam finals to arch-nemesis Novak Djokovic.
But now that Murray has ended that barren run after yesterday’s commanding 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 triumph over the Canadian, he believes his peak period is still to come.
‘I still feel like my best tennis is ahead of me, that I have an opportunity to win more (Grand Slams),’ said Murray, who clinched a unique Scottish double after Gordon Reid became the first-ever wheelchair men’s singles champion earlier in the day.
‘Everyone’s time comes at different stages. Some come in their early 20s, some in their mid 20s. Hopefully, mine is still to come.
‘Obviously, I would have loved to have won more. The guys that I have been playing against have won lots. If I
want to add to three Slams, I will have to find ways to win against them. ‘It’s very rare that you get through a Slam without playing Novak, Roger (Federer) or Rafa (Nadal).’ Murray has endured repeated tough times in the past at Grand Slam events, losing a total of eight finals during his career — all of which involved either Federer or Djokovic — but he believes yesterday’s success is forged by what he has learned from these defeats. ‘I don’t mind failing,’ said the British No 1. ‘Failing is OK, providing that you have given your best and put everything into it. ‘Obviously, a lot of questions would get asked of me after those losses, but failing is not terrible. ‘I have been learning from all of my defeats. That’s what I’ve
done throughout most of my career. ‘I’m just really proud that I managed to do it again after a lot of tough losses in the latter stages of the Slams over the last couple of years. ‘I am also aware of how difficult these competitions are to win once. ‘To do it twice here, an event where there is a lot of pressure on me to perform well, I am very proud with how I have handled that over the years. I feel more motivated than ever just now. I feel happier this time. I feel like this was for myself more than anything, and my team as well.’ Conqueror of Federer in the semi-finals, Ranoic used everything in his considerable armoury against Murray but to no avail. That included firing down the biggest serve of this year’s tournament at an incredible 147mph, only to see the world No 2 return it with relish. Paying tribute to the Scot, 25-year-old Raonic said: ‘Andy moves incredibly well, he returns well — those are his two biggest strengths. ‘And he has been playing very well throughout the tournament. ‘Every time you play him, you know he is going to get more returns back than anyone else, along with Novak.’ Murray was named last week in the Great Britain squad for the Davis Cup quarter-final away to Serbia — which begins on Friday on outdoor clay in Belgrade — but he will consult with captain Leon Smith before making a final decision today on his participation. The Wimbledon champion said: ‘I’m going to speak to Leon about that. ‘Physically, I feel OK just now, which is kind of normal after a match like that. ‘But when I wake up tomorrow morning, it will be a bit different.’