Greg Rusedski believes Andy Murray can end Britain's 70-year wait for a Grand Slam champion.
Former British ace champions Scot for top honours
Greg Rusedski believes Andy Murray can end Britain's 70-year wait for a Grand Slam champion.
Rusedski is familiar with the path the tenacious Scot is undergoing as a former US Open finalist himself who at one time was also ranked fourth in the world.
But that's where the similarities end in the eyes of the 35 year old who believes Murray, who has won two Masters events, is on the cusp of a major title.
Miles ahead
"I've always thought that Andy would be better than Tim Henman and myself and, if you look at his results, he is already miles ahead of where we were at his age," Rusedski told
The Mail on Sunday.
"I really believe Andy has a legitimate chance to win any of the four majors. Every time he enters a major championship, you think he can win it.
"That is an extraordinary change in the mindset in British tennis."
"People have been looking for over 70 years for the next Fred Perry and there is a strong chance we might have found him."
Rusedski feels the 21-year-old can emulate the exploits of Formula One's new darling Lewis Hamilton in becoming a sporting superstar in Britain.
And the Sky Sports pundit feels 2009 could prove an even bigger year for Murray after a season in which he held favourable records against his higher ranked adversaries - Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Trouble
"I honestly feel that none of the top three players, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, enjoy playing against Andy," he added.
"He causes them so much trouble with the way he can mix up his game. This year will be a massive challenge for him, but I think he is up to meeting that challenge.
"He could do for British tennis what Lewis Hamilton has done for motorsport in Britain by becoming the youngest-ever F1 world champion at 23.
"Andy proved to those who had doubts he could win at a time when it counted most."
