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Interview: Smashing The Silence With Andy Murray

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“It’s nice being home,” Andy Murray’s voice is full of conviction and confidence. He will return to the grass courts of Wimbledon to defend his title as the first British tennis player to win on his home soil since Fred Perry in 1936. “It was getting annoying being asked about it all the time, this year there will be less pressure,” he says about previously living with the high expectations of a nation. “But the way I am approaching the tournament is the same because my goal is always to win.”

A year on, however, a few things have changed. The appointment of new coach Amelie Mauresmo a few weeks before the tournament is what concerns his critics; who appear to follow tennis for only two weeks out of the year. “It is different when you change someone in a lead role like that, and obviously my previous coach was a big personality and character,” Murray admits. “It definitely is different but we got on the court and worked on what needs to be done.”

Following an early exit at Queens, Murray points out the “hard transition” from the red clay surface of Paris to the green grass courts. He backs this up by pointing out how most players who did well at the French Open faced an early exit at Wimbledon’s warm up tournament. “It takes time,” he proclaims, “and two or three days to practice isn’t really enough. The only positive I can take from the experience is that I have more time to prepare and train for Wimbledon.”

His approach to Wimbledon, despite in defence of a title, is littered with non believers. While Murray objects to feeling any pressure from the media, the question scribbled on everybody’s scrap paper is obvious. Murray’s frustrations are covered up well, as I imagine he has been followed by a pack of the same British reporters who hounded him for 7 years about “doing the nation proud” – and with the early exit of England from the World Cup last week I gather all other part timers will be joining in as well.

Murray smiles when I ask if he would consider starting his own sportswear line like his predecessor Fred Perry. “I think some people are scared of doing it, it’s a big thing to do,” he replies quietly, knowing all his sponsors would fall off their chairs if such a thing would happen. He seems very happy with the assistance adidas have provided him, who he claims have been supporting him since his teens. The brand has shown a strong commitment to tennis players currently making history on the circuit, as well as keeping the legacies of the likes of Stan Smith and Stephan Edberg alive, by re-releasing their iconic signature tennis shoes this year. “We have more commitments than other players did back then, I thought about it but whether or not it would be any good is another question.” Murray pauses thoughtfully, as if contemplating that reality for the first time before claiming that, “short shorts will be making a comeback.” If he does launch a line of short shorts, I will be expecting a share.

 

Words by : Basil Burley

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Andy Murray is wearing the adidas Stan Smith range which includes polos, T-shirts, jackets and the iconic Stan Smith trainers. Buy at www.adidas.co.uk/stansmith


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