Murray’s demise blown out of proportion, claims Rusedski

Rusedski sees no reason for Scots ace to panic

Andy Murray’s demise has been blown out of all proportion and the Scot can still win Wimbledon, said former British number one Greg Rusedski.

Murray suffered a shock defeat to Australian world No 90 Jordan Thompson in the first round of the Aegon Championships on Tuesday.

The loss came 12 days before the start of Wimbledon and leaves him short of match practice on grass and confidence.

It continues a worrying dip in form for the world No 1. He has lost nine times this year, with six defeats against opponents ranked outside the top 20.

Rusedski, however, insists there is no reason to panic.

“Everyone is blowing it out of all proportion,” Rusedski, an analyst for Eurosport, told Press Association Sport.

“It’s one match. At the end of the day this isn’t Wimbledon. He has another 10 days left before he has to open up the tournament so we shouldn’t read too much into this.

“It means he’s going to get a bit more practice time, he’ll be able to get on the grass at Wimbledon, which is a little slower, and on top of that the conditions are not going to be as hot. I really think Andy is going to be fine.”

It remains to be seen whether Murray chooses to enter any additional events next week, with Novak Djokovic announcing he had accepted a wildcard in the Aegon International, Eastbourne.

Djokovic has tended to play only the odd exhibition match in the build-up to Wimbledon.

Murray entered Hurlingham when he last failed to win Queen’s in 2014, and could do so again.

“I don’t see the lack of matches as a problem,” Rusedski said.

“He’ll just go play a few exhibition matches. Novak has won Wimbledon before without playing any matches leading in and Rafa has done the same, so let’s all not panic about it.

“The other thing as well is it’s three out of five sets at Wimbledon. In a two out of three match at Queen’s a guy can beat you, but the best players tend to come out on top in those longer battles.”

On the same afternoon Murray was crumbling against Thompson, Roger Federer looked ominously relaxed as he took just 52 minutes to beat Japan’s Yuichi Sugita.

Federer is many observers’ favourite to win a record-breaking eighth Wimbledon title next month while Rafael Nadal is the man in form, having sealed his 10th French Open triumph less than two weeks ago.

Rusedski, however, insists Murray is still among the chief contenders.

“Andy has a great shot at Wimbledon, make no mistake,” Rusedski said.

“At the start of this week I had him joint favourite with Federer. Now maybe Federer is a little ahead and even Rafa will be a threat if he gets into the second week.

“It’s a little bit more open but you still have to put Andy as one of those three or four guys that can win the title.”

Andy has a great shot at Wimbledon, make no mistake. GREG RUSEDSKI

Picture: PA. A dejected Andy Murray on his way to defeat at Queen’s. However Greg Rusedski believes he still has a great chance of winning Wimbledon.