Andy Murray In Tokyo Without Lendl Is Facing New Challenges

Written by: Staff on 1st October 2012

Andy Murray In Tokyo Without Lendl Is Facing New Challenges

epa03392959 Andy Murray of Great Britain hits a return to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men's final match on the fifteenth day of the 2012 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 10 September 2012. The US Open has been extended a day for the fifth straight year due to weather. EPA/LARRY W. SMITH |

US Open champion Andy Murray is ready to get back to the competitive arena and three weeks after his first Grand Slam triumph will begin his bid to retain the Rakuten Japan Open title with a tricky confrontation against Gael Monfils.

Murray arrived in Tokyo on Thursday but is not with coach Ivan Lendl for the Asian swing where last year he also won titles in Bangkok and Shanghai. “It will be a tough first match against Gael,” said Murray. “I’ve played him I think five times and lost to him a couple of times. He’s a great athlete.”

Prior to resuming his practice schedule with traveling coach Dani Vallberdu, Murray took a complete break from tennis. “I’ve had four or five days complete rest,” he revealed. “During the season there’s not many times you can do that.

“A lot of players at this stage of the year are a bit mentally and physically tired,’ he said. ‘You need to find the best way of managing for the last couple of months of the year.”

The Scot, who two weeks ago enjoyed an emotional homecoming in front of 15,000 of his fellow Scots in Dunblane, is intent on showing his celebrations did not divert his determination to become the world’s leading player by the end of 2012.

“Obviously I have good memories (of Tokyo) from last year,’ said the world no 3, who beat Rafa Nadal in a memorable final, losing just four points in a 6-0 third set.

“It’s nice to come back. I’d also like to play well at the Tour Finals in London. I didn’t have the chance to do that last year (because of a groin strain). It was a very disappointing way to end the year. I want to make sure I’m 100 per cent fit for that tournament and finish the year well there”

Murray maintained he felt stronger mentally, physically and technically than ever. “I’ve probably improved mentally a little bit,” he insisted. “It’s very important at my age to make sure you keep trying to learn and get better.

“I’ve improved my game. That’s the thing I’ve been the most pleased with this year. With the way men’s tennis is now – there is a lot of depth. The top of the men’s game is very, very strong so if you want to improve your ranking and win more tournaments you need to keep finding things to improve your game.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Andy Murray, Bangkok tennis news, Dani Vallberdu, Dunblane, Gael Monfils, Japan Open 2012, Rafael Nadal, Sports, Tokyo Tennis Open