I will win a grand slam, says defiant Andy Murray
Scot Murray remaining confident
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ANDY Murray insists he will not dwell on his defeat to Andy Roddick despite going out of Wimbledon one step away from the final.
Despite being favourite to reach tomorrow’s final against Roger Federer, the world No.3 went down 6-4 4-6 7-6 (9/7) 7-6 (7/5) to his American opponent who produced one of the best performances of his life.
Murray now has a break of five weeks until his next tournament and he is adamant he will have no problem getting over yesterday’s loss.
“I’ll move on very quickly and go and work on my game and improve and come back stronger,” he said.
“That’s a pathetic attitude to have, if you lose one match and you go away and let it ruin your year.
“I’ve had a very good year so far. I’m very close to the top of the game. The US Open, as I’ve always said, is my best surface, my best chance to win a slam, and I’ll give it my best shot there.”
The 22-year-old is defiant his grand slam prospects are better than ever.
Murray was playing in his first Wimbledon semi-final and hoping to reach his second grand slam final, after losing to Federer at the US Open last autumn, and he put a brave face on the defeat.
He added: “The way that I played this year it was very, very close to getting to the final.
“If I give myself those sort of opportunities and keep playing well, and my consistency in the grand slams the last year or so has been much, much better – a final, a semi and a quarter – I’m going to give myself opportunities to do it.
“I believe I can win a grand slam, whether it’s Wimbledon or US Open or Australia or whatever, I’m going to give myself chances.
“I’ll come back next year and try to do better.”
The sixth seed’s first-serve percentage was 75% – compared to only 52% for Murray – while the Scot could only take advantage of two of his seven break points in the three-hour match.
“I thought I played well,” said Murray.
“If you look at the stats, I hit more winners, less unforced errors, more
aces.
“I’m sure the points that we won were very, very similar. It just came down to a few points here or there on his serve.
“And he served really, really well. Hitting at that pace, at such a high percentage, sometimes there’s not a whole lot you can do with that.
“The last few slams that I’ve lost, I’ve come up against some guys that have played great, great tennis.
“Mentally, for me, I’ve got much better at it, understanding that guys can do that against you. That’s happened to me a few times now in slams.
“I need to keep making sure I bring my best game to the court in every
match.”
Meanwhile, Roddick has tipped Murray to eventually win a grand slam.
He said: “He’s going to break through and win one of these titles and probably numerous ones.
“He’s too good not to. In my mind it’s a matter of time. It’s not if, but when.”
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Will Andy Murray win a grand slam? Email: ee.sport@ajl.co.uk
