Ace Murray crowned king of Queen’s to end 71-year wait
ANDY MURRAY was last night facing up to the wave of expectancy that will come his way after etching his name in British tennis history yesterday.
The 22-year-old Scot completed a stylish 7-5, 6-4 victory over American James Blake to claim a first grass-court success at the Aegon Championship and become the first home-grown champion at Queen’s since Bunny Austin in 1938.
Traditionally, the Queen’s tournament is viewed as a dress rehearsal for Wimbledon and Murray’s win has further whetted the appetites of the expectant British crowd, who see the world No3 as the man to finally break the 73-year duck of a British triumph at Wimbledon when the tournament gets underway in seven days time.
Not since Fred Perry in 1936 has a British man lifted the Wimbledon trophy, but amid the euphoria of his Queen’s triumph, Murray was left to reflect on the hopes of a nation resting on his shoulders.
“Regardless of whether it’s like this next week or four months ago, the majority of people I speak to say, ‘Good luck at Wimbledon’ because it’s kind of how people view tennis in this country,” he said. “When I go for a walk with the dog, if I bump into someone who my dog is playing with their dog, then I’ll have a chat with them.
“But I’m going to live my normal life. I’m not going to start switching the TV off and not listening to radio. It doesn’t matter what people write and say. It doesn’t win me matches.”
Winning such a prestigious event without dropping a set represents ideal preparation for Wimbledon, but with world No1 Rafael Nadal and five-time champion Roger Federer standing in his way, Murray refuses to get carried away. “I’m a long way from winning Wimbledon. I feel confident but I try not to get too far ahead of myself. If I play my best like I have this week I’ve got a chance, but two of the greatest players of all-time are going to be there so it will be tough,” he added.
Murray, the No1 seed, found Blake a tough nut to crack before making the decisive break at 5-5 in the opening set. Blake came back with some thumping forehands but too many errors cost him and Murray broke in the seventh game before serving out for a hugely popular win.
GRASS KINGS DOUBLE CHAMPIONS
Murray’s win means he is now looking to join an elite band of six players to have claimed the grass-court double; winning both Queen’s and Wimbledon crowns. Two have done it twice, the full list is:
1981 John McEnroe
1982 Jimmy Connors
1984 John McEnroe
1985 Boris Becker
1995 Pete Sampras
1999 Pete Sampras
2002 Lleyton Hewitt
2008 Rafael Nadal