Andy’s play-date platform

ANDY MURRAY is aiming to work, rest and ‘play date’ his way to Wimbledon glory.

The defending champion unusually has this SW19 weekend ‘off’ so is plotting a path to his third crown at the All England Club that includes more family fun.

After his third-round win over Italian Fabio Fognini, the Scot has back-to-back days off ahead of his clash with Benoit Paire tomorrow.

And Murray knows it’s the perfect opportunity to practise, get some rest into his body and hip – and switch off by spending time with wife Kim and daughter Sophia.

Murray said: “The weekend can be valuable if I use it well. I need to make sure I practise properly and it can be beneficial away from playing matches, just to settle your body down and recover a bit.

“There are also things I want to work on as well, so it’s not like I just take two days’ rest. Getting the down-time right will be important as well, because it’s not something we get too often during tournaments, a couple of days’ break.

“I know it might seem like nothing but most athletes like routine, so this is a bit different to what we’re used to.

“That means it’s important I use it properly – make sure I keep my mind focused on my tennis when I’m at Wimbledon, then get home and get away from it as early as possible so I can rest up and relax.

“Obviously I’ll be around home a bit more than I would be on match days. I’ll get more time with Sophia in the morning and just before she goes to bed.”