Murray Will Play Queen’s In Search For Fourth Title

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 11th January 2014

Murray Will Play Queen’s In Search For Fourth Title

epa04014734 Andy Murray of Britain speaks during a press conference ahead of the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 11 January 2014. The tournament will take place in Melbourne from 13 to 26 January 2014. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON |

Andy Murray may currently be in Melbourne and wondering just how long he will survive in the upcoming Australian Open but part of his mind will forever be on London in June and July and the Scot has confirmed he will again contest the AEGON Championships at Queen’s Club as his main build up to the defence of his Wimbledon title.

The defending Queen’s champion has three titles to his name at the long-standing grass court event, winning in 2009, 2011 and last summer in 2013. He is aiming to join the illustrious quartet of John McEnroe, Boris Becker, Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Roddick as players who have all won on four occasions.

Action will start on the West London lawns on June 9, the day after the French Open final at Roland Garros and it’s likely to be the first time Murray will play on home soil since his Wimbledon victory, unless Great Britain beats USA in the Davis Cup in February and earn a home tie in April’s quarter-finals.

The world no.4 may currently still be somewhere short of full match fitness following back surgery at the end of September but would expect to be firing on all cylinders in five and a half month’s time. And casting his mind half a world away, he said: “To win the title for the third time last year and then to go on to win Wimbledon was really special, and it highlights the importance of Queen’s.

“The grass courts there are as good as any in the world and it’s a great event. It’s also a tournament with a lot of history, both personally for me and for the game as a whole.”

Murray signed a long term agreement to play the event for the rest of his career back in 2012 and continued: “Queen’s is where I won my first professional match and my first title in Britain, and when you look at the names on the trophy, including my coach Ivan Lendl, it shows how big a tournament it is to win. I’d love to do it again.”

Last year Murray fought from a set down to beat Marin Cilic in the final. Immediately afterwards he became organizer cum contestant as he took part in the Rally Against Cancer charity match to raise money for the Royal Marsen hospital, which treated his best friend Ross Hutchins. In addition Murray contributed his £73,000 (about $115,000) winners’ check to the fund, which ended up totaling more than £250,000 (about $380,000).

“Last year was even more memorable with the Rally Against Cancer match we held afterwards to help the Royal Marsden,” recalled Murray. “It’s a day I’ll never forget.”

Topics: 10sballs, Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, Australian Open, Boris Becker, John Mcenroe, Lleyton Hewitt, Marin Cilic, Melbourne, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News