TENNIS STAR ANDY MURRAY SAYS MARRIAGE WORKS AND BEATS RAFA TO WIN @ MADRID MASTERS

Written by: Staff on 11th May 2015

TENNIS STAR ANDY MURRAY SAYS MARRIAGE WORKS AND BEATS RAFA TO WIN @ MADRID MASTERS

epa04742303 British tennis player Andy Murray holds his winner trophy as he poses for a family photo with ball children after defeating Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal in the Mutua Madrid Tennis Open tournament's final match in Madrid, Spain, 10 May 2015. Murray won 3-6 amd 2-6. EPA/JUANJO MARTIN |

Andy Murray had a simple explanation for his new found ability to win clay court titles. “Marriage works,” wrote the Scot in the long-time requisite signing of the television lens following his stunning victory over Rafael Nadal to win the Mutua Madrid Open title to silence 16,000 of the Spanish tennis icon’s adoring fans.

Murray is unbeaten since marrying Kim Sears five weeks ago and then tying his wedding ring to the laces of his left shoe because he can’t wear it during matches because of the irritation it causes when the right-hander plays his double-fisted backhand.

So matrimonial bliss is important for Murray but so is total fitness and belief in his own body. The 27 year-old is now reaping the benefits of the back surgery he underwent 20 months ago. Prior to that third ranked Murray was repeatedly in pain when playing on clay but now he is able to outlast even the very best on the surface.

“The tennis has gone well and when you are happy that helps you,” he admitted after his 6-3, 6-2 win over Nadal at Madrid’s Caja Magica. “But also this year I feel healthy and have been training well. In the last few years I have really struggled with my back.”

British tennis player Andy Murray hits the ball against Spanish Rafael Nadal during the Mutua Madrid Tennis Open tournament’s final match in Madrid, Spain, 10 May 2015. EPA/JUANJO MARTIN

Now, on the back of his titles in Munich and Madrid, Murray must today make the decision whether to try and maintain his run at the Internazionale BNL d’Italia in Rome or take a rest before the French Open.

“I will be flying to Rome and will decide when I get there whether I will play the event,” he said, adding he will discuss the situation with his coaches Amalie Mauresmo and Jonas Bjorkman. “It would be good to get some matches in but there’s a very busy few months coming up and I need to make the right decision.”

In Murray’s homeland today there are numerous articles in the sports press wondering whether it is now possible to make the Scot a main contender to win the French Open and so become the first British male champion at Roland Garros since Fred Perry 80 years ago.

Naturally he refused to get involved in such speculation but did admit: “It’s one of the toughest things in tennis to try to beat Rafa on clay in Spain.”

Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal hits the ball against British Andy Murray during the Mutua Madrid Tennis Open tournament’s final match in Madrid, Spain, 10 May 2015. EPA/JUAN CARLOS HIDALGO

After receiving the trophy from Sofia, the former Queen of Spain, Murray added: “I’ll keep trying to play well over the next few weeks with Roland Garros just around the corner.

“I dealt with all of the nervy moments well — it was a very good performance from my point of view. I have played well at Roland Garros in the past, reaching two semi-finals, but last year [when Nadal crushed him in straight sets in semi-finals] my game was definitely not right to win the event. This win obviously gives me confidence.”

STORY VIA BOB LARSON TENNIS NEWS.

Topics: Andy Murray, ATP Madrid, Kim Sears, King of Clay, Madrid Masters, MMOpen2015, nadal, Rafa, Sports, Tennis News

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10sBalls_com says:

May 11, 2015 at 8:46 am

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