Andy Murray says there's no need to call him sir ahead of Australian Open
Saturday 14 January 2017 12:52, UK
Andy Murray revealed he doesn't want to be called "sir" ahead of the Australian Open with the Briton also opening up on the state of British tennis, being a dad and world No 1.
The 29-year-old is entering his first Grand Slam since being knighted in Britain's New Year Honours, and his first as the world's top player after he displaced Novak Djokovic late last season.
After missing out in five finals in Melbourne, Murray kicks off his campaign against Ukraine's world No 93 Illya Marchenko.
Speaking on Saturday, Murray said: "I'm more than happy just being Andy. That's enough for me. Yeah, if they call me 'Andy', that's cool. I'd be happy with that."
Last year's final appearance was torrid for Murray, as his wife Kim Sears was heavily pregnant with their first child and his father-in-law collapsed while watching a match.
"It was a tough tournament," admitted Murray, who seriously considered pulling out and headed for the airport after losing the final to Djokovic in straight sets.
"It was like, I want to be at home for the birth, but then I'm not just going to leave whilst my father-in-law is also in hospital. It was tough, and certainly not a position I would want to put myself in again, or my wife, or any of my family really."
The Scot said he was delighted to be reunited with coach Ivan Lendl as he sets about trying to defend his ranking, chiefly from Djokovic who is showing signs of a resurgence.
"I think it could be quite easy that once you get to number one that you think, 'Well, actually, I just need to keep doing what I doing'," he added.
"The reality is, in sport, that things obviously keep moving on, the game will get better, I'll obviously get older, the young guys will continue to improve.
"And also Novak and Roger [Federer] and Stan [Wawrinka] and Rafa [Nadal] and all the guys at the top are still going to be wanting to get there.
"So that's why having someone like Ivan on my team who has been in that position before and knows what that."
On the court, Britain's players have enjoyed a remarkable week, with Johanna Konta winning her second WTA title at the Sydney International on Friday and Dan Evans making the final against Gilles Muller on Saturday. Evans lost his first ATP Tour final 7-6 6-2 but improved his world ranking from No 67 to No 51.
Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares were also runners-up in the men's doubles.
"It's obviously a great week for a lot of Brits," Murray said. "Obviously Jo winning was great. My brother in the final. It will be the best week that Britain's had at tour level in forever probably."
On his chances of winning Down Under in two weeks, he said: "I do love it here. I love the conditions. I have played really well here over the years, and just haven't managed to obviously get over the final hurdle.
"But I think I'm in a decent position to do it. I think I have a chance to win here. Obviously nothing's guaranteed. But, yeah, why not?"
Murray also expressed his disappointment at Michael Downey's resignation as chief executive of the Lawn Tennis Association, stating it was another example of short-term thinking at the top of British tennis.
Downey announced on Thursday he would quit in June after only three years in the role, citing a desire to spend more time with his family.
Murray, who admitted at the end of 2015 that the pair had spoken only once in what was then more than two years since Downey's appointment, said: "I wasn't really surprised. I really hope the next appointment is something long-term.
"You can't expect results, obviously, immediately. I don't think there should be loads of pressure on that person to get stuff done straight away.
"If you just do three years, then another three years, and just keep switching all the time, it's not good for anyone."
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