Sky Sports look at 10 reasons why Andy Murray can win Wimbledon this year
Sunday 28 June 2015 14:20, UK
Andy Murray is in the form of his life and, peaking at just the right time, he has every chance of walking away with the ultimate prize.
The odds are in favour of a winner from 2013 champion Murray, defending champion Novak Djokovic, seven-time Wimbledon legend Roger Federer and two-time winner Rafa Nadal.
Wimbledon has not seen a male champion from outside the 'Big Four' in 13 years, since Leyton Hewitt claimed the grass-court crown in 2002.
Here are 10 reasons why the British No 1 can go on and claim his second title at the All England Club and third Grand Slam overall.
1. He's won it before...
Murray won a historic Wimbledon title to end Britain's 77-year wait for a men's champion with victory over Djokovic in three pulsating sets on a hot summer's day back in 2013 and is a moment many of us will never forget. That was his last win over the Serb, but the world No 3 will head into this year's tournament knowing just what it takes to go all the way and claim the biggest accolade in tennis. When it comes to the crunch, Murray knows he can dig deep and come through the big points at the crucial times.
2. He's just won at Queen's... again
Murray oozed confidence with a comprehensive 6-3 6-4 winner in the Aegon Championship final at Queen's Club against Kevin Anderson, joining John McEnroe, Boris Becker, Hewitt and Andy Roddick as a four-time winner of the event. Just a couple of hours earlier the Scot had finished off Viktor Troicki in the delayed semi-final and he showed no sign of weariness when returning to court two hours later where he was ruthlessly effective in seeing off big-serving Anderson, breaking once in each set. With 34 career ATP titles, including six on grass, Murray moved up to 18th on the Open era list - level with Arthur Ashe, Michael Chang and John Newcombe. Even more significantly, it was his first title on grass since his historic Wimbledon triumph in 2013, so the omens are certainly looking good.
3. He's playing better than ever...
Murray says he has improved since winning Wimbledon and after the last few weeks, it would be no surprise if he repeats that historic feat in the next fortnight. He's producing a wide range of winners from all angles and now has a bulletproof service game. His second serve, sometimes a hindrance, has improved markedly while the power and accuracy he is generating from the baseline allows him to dominate opponents from the back. They have pace with a lot more direction and kick when required. "I feel like I'm using my variety very well just now, something that maybe I wasn't the last couple of years. That's been good for me," Murray said.
4. He's only lost once as a married man...
Since tying the knot with Kim in April, Murray's record is 20-1, with his only defeat coming against Djokovic at the French Open. He won his first title of the year, and first ever on clay, a few weeks after getting married and then followed that up with victory in Madrid. After defeat at Roland Garros he bounced back with the win at Queen's, and credits some of his success to his relationship with Kim. “Being in a stable relationship in your personal life also helps," he said. "Obviously people don’t see that on the cameras but if everything’s good then you aren’t having so many emotional ups and downs distracting you, and you’re not worrying about what’s happening back home.”
5. Murray is fitter and stronger...
It is 10 years ago since Murray, as a gangly 18-year-old ranked 312th in the world and crippled by cramp, lost in a dramatic five-setter to David Nalbandian on his debut at the All England Club. After the loss, Murray had said he "felt like he belonged on Centre Court" and the three semi-finals, one final and a Championship triumph since are testament to his early instincts with the Scotsman now looking like a true athlete, combining speed, aggression, movement and thought which has made him a two-time Grand Slam champion.
6. He makes the transition from clay to grass look easy...
The 28-year-old from Dunblane has made huge progress from where he was at this stage last year and Murray himself has openly admitted that. After claiming back-to-back titles in Munich and the Madrid Masters, his form on the red stuff was phenomenal, culminating in 15 straight wins before losing in five sets to Djokovic in the semi-finals of the French. Just days later he was making the tough transition to grass, which many players struggle with, but not Murray. "I have played extremely well this year, so I have to be happy about that," he said. "Obviously the grass courts suit my game better than the clay. If I can take some of the form from the clay over to the grass and the confidence I’ve built up there, I’m sure I can have some good results."
7. Djokovic is an unknown factor...
The Serb's failure in the final at Roland Garros is a stark example of momentum taking you only so far. The world No 1 looked set for his 29th consecutive victory, having beaten Nadal and Murray en route to the final in Paris but he suffered only a second defeat in 18 meetings against Stan Wawrinka to ensure his wait for a first French Open title continued. Djokovic will be hoping to bounce back from defeat at Roland Garros by securing his own third triumph at the All England Club although his form will be an unknown factor after he optied not to take part in any of the big pre-Wimbledon tournaments.
8. Extra week of build-up helps...
The extra week of grass-court build-up inserted into this year's schedule will be a great benefit to Murray who will be hoping he can bring his record-equalling Queen's form with him to Wimbledon. His goal will be to maintain that level as he plots a second triumph at the All England Club and the few extra days of rest will help him recuperate.
9. Amelie will be back...
Murray was under the sole charge of Swedish nine-time Grand Slam doubles champion Jonas Bjorkman at Queen's but Amelie Mauresmo will return for Wimbledon before she takes takes a longer spell of leave to give birth. The world No 3 also seems completely at ease on and off the court with his team which will help him relax between matches. Former world No 1 Mauresmo was known for her flair, as was Bjorkman, and they appear to be the perfect complement for Murray and his vast array of skills.
10. Boris Becker is wary of him...
Becker, the coach of world No 1 Djokovic and a three-time Wimbledon winner, knows a good player when he sees one. And despite his allegiance to Djokovic, whose sensational form in 2015 makes him the favourite to match his coach's hat-trick of Wimbledon titles, Becker has admitted that Murray is a threat. The legendary German confesses Murray is in "great form" and is Djokovic's biggest rival to lift the ultimate prize.
