British tennis star Andy Murray could add to the prestige of winning Wimbledon by becoming the nation’s most successful player over the few weeks.
Murray is in training on a special hard court at the O2 Arena in London to perfect playing on clay courts.
From Sunday (November 15), he is taking part in the ATP world Tour Finals and a good showing would cement his ranking as number two in the world behind his Nemesis Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic has beaten Murray 10 times in their last 11 meetings.
Then, after a short break, Murray captains the British team in the David Cup finals against Belgium, playing on home turf in Ghent.
Davis Cup dreams
Winning would mean Murray has bested players to take trophies in most of the leading world tennis competitions.
That’s a feat no British tennis players has achieved in decades – and almost living memory.
Britain last won the Davis Cup, the leading world championship for men, in 1936.
However, Murray admits he has problems playing on hard courts.
His lower body action suffers on clay, giving him joint pain and back ache which feeds through to deteriorate his performances.
That’s why he is spending extra hours training on the hard court to perfect and choreograph his movements to help his body adapt to the extra strains the forthcoming matches will impose on his technique.
Niggling injuries
“I need to respect my body and hard courts. The movements and stresses are different from those on grass courts and I am the first to admit that I do not react or adapt well to them,” said Murray during a break in training.
“My main worry is that I will pick up a niggling injury that will stop me playing in one or both tournaments. I want to be fit and healthy and on top of my game to do well both as a singles player and for my country in the Davis Cup.”
Fitness has always been a struggle for the gangly Scot who is prone to pick up injuries.
The British team is confident with Murray leading the way in Ghent that they can pick up the Davis Cup. Without him, the team drops back to ordinary and might struggle even though his brother Jamie.
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