Even at 35, Jamie feels as though he is now in the best shape of his career
City coach Maresca refuses to be drawn on possible Hoops move
Jamie Murray has used the coronavirus pandemic as a time to turn back the clock.
The tennis star celebrated his 35th birthday earlier this month, but is showing no signs of slowing down.
In fact, the Scot believes he is in the best physical shape of his life.
There was a time it looked like tennis would be dominated by the young guns.
That hasn’t proved to be the case – the big three of Federer, Djokovic and Nadal are still the men to beat.
Federer will turn 40 in August but is still ranked as No. 5 in the world.
Murray, who will team up with brother Andy, 33, for a Battle Of The Brits event at Aberdeen’s P&J Live Arena on December 21 and 22, believes he has plenty of sets still to play.
He revealed: “I’m in the best shape of my life right now.
“Over the last year, I put a lot more focus on my physical training.
“That was because of the Covid pandemic and being unable to play as much.
“I’ve started to look after my body a lot better over the last few years because I became aware of the longevity factor.
“If I could do things to squeeze a few extra years out of my career, then I would.
“I know how much I’m going to miss walking out in front of several thousand fans to compete and to represent your country.
“It’s hard to know how I’ll replicate that buzz and excitement when I move into other areas of my life, so I want to maximise it as much as I possibly can.
“Across sport, not just tennis, athletes are competing for longer thanever.
“There’s now greater knowledge of training and recovery that’s available. That helps to increase longevity.
“In tennis, and I assume other sports, the financial rewards motivate people to compete for as long as possible and they’re able to do that because they have access to all this sports science.
“In doubles, Wimbledon still plays five sets but most of the games I play take about an hour to one hour, 30 minutes.
“It isn’t super-draining physically.” Murray hopes Scotland will already have one up on England when the Auld Enemies clash in his tennis tourney at the end of the year.
He admits he can’t wait to watch the nations’ football sides clash at Wembley in this summer’s Euros.
He said: “The Euros are normally good because they take place during our grass court season and most people are in the UK.
“I haven’t seen Scotland at a major championships during my adult life.
“I was 13 when they last qualified and I was really excited to see them getting through – mostly because it givesthescottishfansachanceto see their team on this stage.
“The Scotland v England rivalry is one of the biggest in the world and that will never change.
“The chance for us as tennis
players to represent our countries in that way is super rare and the players are all really enthusiastic about it.”
Tennis fans will be hoping that Andy Murray is fit to face England.
Jamie said: “Andy and I speak most days, whether it’s messaging or Facetime.
“I haven’t been in Scotland for over a year. I haven’t seen my grandparents or my dad for a year.
“It hasn’t been easy for anyone, but it looks like there’s some good news arriving at last.
“Hopefully in the second half of this year we see a big shift towards a return to normal lives and people can start looking towards the future.”
Enzo Maresca remains the dark horse for the Celtic manager’s job as the guessing game about Neil Lennon’s replacement intensifies.
Burnley boss Sean Dyche yesterday became the latest to be linked with the post, currently being filled on a caretaker basis by John Kennedy.
David Moyes, the West Ham manager, has already ruled himself out. But Maresca, head coach of Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad, and as short as 10/1 with the bookies, declined to either confirm or deny his interest in the Celtic job.
Contacted by The Sunday Post through his agent, he said he didn’t wish to comment as he was focused on his current job.