Murray Claims to Have an Improved On-Court Personality

Written by: Staff on 18th June 2011

Murray Claims to Have an Improved On-Court Personality

Britain's Andy Murray reacts after loosing a crucial point against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France during the ATP Aegon tennis championship final match at Queen's in London, Britain, 13 June 2011. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

As if to satisfy the majority of the British tennis watching public, Andy Murray has vowed the bad-tempered unfriendly image he has purveyed for most of his career is now trashed along with all his old shirts and broken rackets before Wimbedon gets under way.

The world no.4 is looking to adopt a new more light-hearted personality as his push to become the first British male champion since Fred Perry’s win in 1936 gets under way.

Murray, drawn to begin against Spain’s Daniel Gimeno-Traver, said: “I enjoy playing but I put a lot of pressure on myself to do well. You have to try to enjoy it as much as possible.

“Everyone shows it in different ways when they are on the court. This year I’ll definitely try to show I’m enjoying myself.”

The fourth seed Murray also vowed to block defending champion Rafael Nadal out of his mind. They are scheduled to meet in the semi-finals and the Spaniard has won their two previous meetings atWimbledon, last year in the semi-finals and two years previously in the quarters.

“It’s not worth thinking about Rafa because that’s a long way off,” said Murray. Going into the first match I have got to make sure I am focused. You need to be switched on from the first match and I will be.”

Compatriot Tim Henman, four times a Wimbledon semi-finalist, is convinced Murray can go those couple of crucial steps further. “Right now looking at the form Andy is in, of course he can win.

“He is in excellent physical shape and has beaten Federer, Nadal and Djokovic enough times to have the confidence to do it again. Everyone will be rooting for him.”

However even if Murray does end the 75 year wait for British champion, Henman is insistent the hill named in his honor at the All England Club will not get a new title. “It will never be Murray Mount,” said the 36 year-old who will be commentating throughout Wimbledon for BBC TV. “Whenever they show a picture of it, I say: ‘There’s my hill’. It will always be Henman Hill.”

Story Provided by Bob Larson Tennis