Murray Plays Down Wimbledon Fears

Andy Murray feels happy going into Wimbledon, despite losing his last three matches on grass in the build-up to the third Grand Slam of the year.

The British number one was shocked at Queen’s Club, when defending his AGEON Championship, losing in the opening match to Nicolas Mahut.

Murray then decided to take part in the Boodles exhibition event in Buckinghamshire, but was defeated by Janko Tipsarevic, much to the chagrin of fans enjoying the live tennis.

With a lack of competitive action on grass, the world number four took on Wimbledon champion, Novak Djokovic, in his last outing, before heading to SW19.

It was a better display from the Scot at Stoke Park, but he eventually fell to the world number one in straight sets, 6-4 6-4. Despite concerns in the media over his form and fitness, having had back problems at the French Open, Murray remains upbeat about his prospects on grass.

The 25-year-old said: “I think my preparations have gone very well. Queen’s was obviously disappointing but here, the results were not important at all. I’d have liked to have done better at Queen’s, but, after that, I had a couple of good practice matches over at Wimbledon, and had a couple of matches here as well. It’s been good.”

Expectations will certainly be high amongst the British fans that Murray will end the long wait for a Wimbledon champion, which stretches back to 1936.

Murray, the fourth favourite for the title in the live in-play betting previews, has reached the semi-finals in the last three years at SW19, and the last four will be the least the home crowd will crave.