MURRAY FACING ‘BRUTAL REALITY’

World No1 says his Wimbledon preparation not been ideal but insists he will find a way to win

ANDY MURRAY will go into Wimbledon admitting he will have to overcome the ‘brutal reality’ of the physical demands at the highest level to try and navigate his way through the first week.

The world No 1 was again able to complete his scheduled practice sessions and, while looking more sprightly than on Friday, was still limping at times between points as he struggles with a hip injury.

He looks sure to take his place in tomorrow’s opening Centre Court match at 1pm although, not for the first time, judging exactly how he is feeling is proving an inexact science. What we do know is that he spent more than three hours on court, spanning two sessions.

Murray is, however, conceding that his build-up to the fortnight has been far from ideal, ever since he was knocked out of the first round of the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club 12 days ago.

‘Players going into tournaments with injuries and niggles is nothing new and it happens frequently on the tour and also in other sports,’ he said. ‘Tennis is a tough sport 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.

‘The schedule is demanding and matches are often tough on the body, so it’s about recovery and getting yourself ready for the next match. Over the years I have 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.

‘Queen’s has generally been good for my Wimbledon preparation over the years and I’ve played some good matches and finals there, but I’ve also lost early before there and gone on to do well. The planning and preparation hasn’t gone as I would have liked but I need to put that behind me and focus on how I’m going to win on Monday.’

That is when he will play Russia’s Alexander ‘Sasha’ Bublik, the world No 134 who has made the draw as a ‘lucky loser’ from the final round of qualifying.

‘I’m just focusing on myself at the moment and trying to prepare as best I can,’ said Murray. ‘You can only control what you do. I’ll give it everything I have over the next two weeks. So far, this year has been difficult, with injuries and illness. It’s important I get back to winning ways and that’s all I’m thinking about.

‘I hit on Monday and Tuesday last week and was hitting the ball pretty well. I also managed a couple of gyrotonic sessions [his favoured stretching technique]. I then had to rest Wednesday and Thursday but managed to get back out on the court for a few hours on Friday. The plan is to get more practice in ahead of my match on Monday.’

There are different schools of thought about Murray’s true state of fitness but one of the more informed views is that, if he can get a couple of matches behind him, a lot of the tension he is currently feeling will dissipate.

Murray’s first week does not look too arduous on paper. Perhaps his trickiest assignment will be a second round against German Dustin Brown, who beat Rafael Nadal two years ago.

Regardless of fitness, there is ample evidence to doubt Murray’s credentials as the eventual winner this year. Patrick Mouratoglou, one of the best-known coaches in the game who was guiding Serena Williams until her pregnancy, believes his chances are slight anyway.

‘I’m not sure many people are going to bet on him these two weeks,’ said Mouratoglou. ‘His chances to win, when you played like he has the last six months, are small, especially when you have to face guys like Roger Federer.’

However, he is also aware that Murray can be dangerous if he builds momentum, as was the case at Roland Garros.

‘The good thing is he played well in Paris, on a surface that is not his best, compared to grass,’ said Mouratoglou. ‘First, he is an incredible fighter. You see how much he fought in Roland Garros. Actually, if people don’t believe in him, he’s going to be better than we expect, because he often finds a lot of motivation when people are against him.

‘What he showed in Roland Garros was interesting because he was playing really bad when he started and match after match he could raise his level and find a way to win and reach the semis, when he was a few points away from the final.

‘So imagine him at home, with the crowd behind him, with a surface that he likes. The tough thing is going to be the first few rounds.’