Andy Murray Senses a Warmth From the British Spectators

Written by: Staff on 30th July 2012

Andy Murray Senses a Warmth From the British Spectators

epa03324334 Britain's Andy Murray during a match against Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka at the London 2012 Olympic Games Tennis competition in Wimbledon, Greater London, Britain, 29 July 2012. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

Andy Murray admits he feels a new warmth and affinity from the British public after his Wimbledon final display and subsequent emotional tears. And he is in the mood to repay this new support by winning an Olympic medal.

If there were any fears Murray’s return to the Olympic-garbed Centre Court might suffer from a lack of intensity after the disappointment of the Wimbledon final exactly three weeks earlier, they were perfectly balanced by an exemplary opening-round performance.

Every aspect of the Murray game seemed to be working perfectly as he outplayed Stainslas Wawrinka 6-3 6-3. His motivation was clear as he marched to victory in less than an hour and a half and repaying the support he felt from the crowd.

The Scot admitted: “I know it’s not always been that easy to get behind me because I didn’t look particularly happy but during Wimbledon it felt different. I think I grew up a bit and got a more mature demeanor. The support I got made a huge difference. It was unlike anything I’d experienced before and it came from people in the street, politicians and celebrities.

“It was overwhelming and motivated me to get back to practice after losing the final, get ready for this tournament and do my best to give it everything. Having 100% support makes me want to do that.”

Murray has struggled many a tricky hour at the hands of Switzerland’s Wawrinka in years gone by; a five-set battle that gave the £100m retractable roof its competitive evening debut three years ago that ended in victory, and an embarrassing lesson in tactical preparation at the 2010 US Open, which didn’t.

The determination was apparent as he won 88% of the points on his first serve and although Wawrinka had the support of Roger Federer sitting in his players’ box, the presence of the Wimbledon champion served to give Murray even greater edge.

Murray allowed Wawrinka only two break-point opportunities all match, averting the first moment of danger with a service winner and the second with the most deft of drop shots. In between, he upped the pressure on the 26th-ranked 27 year-old from Lausanne who carried the Swiss flag in Friday’s opening ceremony after Federer insisted somebody else deserved the honor after he’d done the job twice previously.

“He was just too good for me today,” said Wawrinka, who will now concentrate on retaining the Olympic doubles title he won alongside Federer in Beijing four years ago. “Andy is the No 4 player in the world and just made the final here. He was playing at home and I think I just faced a better player.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: 10sballs.com, Andy Murray, British tennis news, London Olympics news, Scottish tennis news, Sports, Stainslas Wawrinka, Tennis News, Wimbledon 2012