Murray ‘fine’ to play seven matches
LONDON: Andy Murray will begin his Wimbledon title defence today after confirming his recovery from a hip injury that has disrupted his preparation for the tournament.
“It’s felt much better the last few days,” the world number one said yesterday.
“If I feel like I do today, I’ll be fine to play the tournament. I’ll be fine to play seven matches.”
Murray, who will play Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik, a lucky loser ranked 134, in the Centre Court opener, said he felt no lasting effects from the injury which caused him to pull out of two exhibition matches at London’s Hurlingham Club last week.
“I’ve had hip problems since I was very young,” said the Scot, who added that he had benefited from several days’ rest. “It’s not something new to me. It’s just been very sore the last few weeks.
“It was giving me quite a lot of trouble moving to certain shots and getting into certain positions.
“This is an extremely important tournament, so you worry a little bit. It’s a little bit stressful if you can’t practise for a few days.
“You really want to be preparing, training as much as you can to get ready and make you feel better, especially when you hadn’t had any matches.”
Murray confirmed British media reports that he and his wife Kim are expecting their second child, but said it would not distract him in his title defence.
“We’re both obviously very happy and looking forward to it,” he said.
“I’ve had family the whole time I’ve been playing tennis, so yeah, I’ll be fine dealing with that. It’s certainly not a distraction in the slightest.”
Murray, who has won Wimbledon twice in the past four years and reached at least the quarter-finals every year since 2008, is attempting to successfully defend a grand slam title for the first time.
“Hopefully I’m able to deal with things better this time round,” said Murray, who won his first grand slam title at the US Open in 2012.
“Once you get out there, I don’t feel like I’m coming in trying to defend something. I’m going out there trying to win Wimbledon again. I want to try to win the competition.”
This year the odds appear more stacked against him after a year disrupted by a series of minor problems including chest infections, elbow problems, flu and shingles.
However, the 30-year-old Briton said he was hopeful of being a force to reckon with at his home grand slam for years to come.
“You want to make the most of every tournament you play. I think you realise that a little bit more as you start to get older. I hope I’m still playing here for five, six, seven more years, if possible.”
Meanwhile Britain’s Johanna Konta says she is fit to play at Wimbledon after recovering from a heavy fall that forced her to pull out of a warm-up tournament.
Konta, who will be seeded sixth, hurt her back and banged her head as she tumbled on the grass during last week’s quarter-final win over Angelique Kerber at the Aegon International in Eastbourne.
A shaken Konta pulled out of last Friday’s semi-final, raising doubts over her participation at Wimbledon.
However, the 26-year-old said she had recovered well and, like Murray, intends to forget her injury problems and take her place in the draw.
“I practised today. I felt good. I’m definitely looking forward to playing my first round. Like Andy, I’d like to think I’m fit enough to play seven matches but I’m going to be taking it one at a time.”
By a quirk of the draw, Konta’s first-round opponent is Hsieh Su-Wei, the 31-year-old Taiwanese who knocked her out of the French Open at the same stage last month.
“It’s quite interesting that I actually get to play her again,” said Konta. “Well, I know she does enjoy the grass. She’s a Wimbledon champion in doubles, so she definitely can play on this surface. Actually, the first time I played her, I lost to her on the grass.”
With no Serena Williams or obvious favourite in a wideopen draw, Konta will face extra pressure this year as the home crowd urge her to emulate Murray’s recent success in the men’s tournament.
“I know there’s, I guess, more attention, and there’s more interest in my performance, but that’s also a good thing. It means we’re talking more about women’s tennis in this country,” said Konta, who was born to Hungarian parents in Sydney and moved to Britain at the age of 14. – Reuters