Andy Murray believes he is ready to claim his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open.
British number one upbeat on US Open chances
Andy Murray believes he is ready to claim his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open.
Murray, the world number two, lost in straight sets to Roger Federer in the final at Flushing Meadows in 2008 - the closest he has been to winning a major tournament.
But the British number one feels he has fine-tuned his game over the last 12 months and is primed to mount another serious challenge in New York.
"I'm playing a lot better," Murray said. "Up until Wimbledon last year, I was playing top-10 tennis but not tennis that was consistent enough to get me to number two in the world.
"My consistency has been a lot better. Physically I feel stronger than I was last year. There's not one thing I would take out that has gotten a lot better, but I think everything has just got that little bit better.
"That's the difference when you get close to the top - there's not one major thing that changes but a lot of little things."
Possible
Murray, who reached the semi-final at Wimbledon in July, is again in the opposite half of the draw to Federer, opening the door for a possible repeat meeting between the pair in this year's US Open final.
"One of the few things I want to do now in tennis is to win a slam," Murray added. "It's incredibly difficult to do but something I believe is possible.
"A lot of players say when they win their first slam it's sort of a relief because it is so much hard work you put into it. I'm hoping I can do it here."
Murray loves the noisy atmosphere of the New York event compared to the other majors.
"It's just a very different atmosphere than the other Grand Slams," he noted.
"If you look at the crowds, the way matches go on centre court with the big screen and the music, the stars that come to watch - it's taste is a little bit different."
Rivals
Murray's quest for a Grand Slam title has so far been frustrated by Federer and Rafael Nadal, who have carved up the majority of the big events between themselves in recent times.
"I don't feel like I was unfortunate to be born in this era," said the Scot.
"I think it's a great thing to play alongside those two. I view Roger and Rafa as the two best rivals ever.
"But at the same time I think you raise your game to the competition you play against. Playing against those guys when I was younger, I realised I needed to get a lot better and work physically."
