Andy Murray has denied his intention to make this his last Wimbledon as he looks forward to returning to grand slam tennis.
The three-time grand slam champion has had to overcome COVID, injuries and setbacks but at last the Brit has finally reached his goal of playing Wimbledon.
It has been a long road for Murray who four years ago was contemplating retirement after liming through his match with Sam Querrey, “I was feeling horrendous during that tournament,” Murray told STV.
“I was in so much pain playing there. When you speak to my team about that Wimbledon, we laugh about it today. Because I don’t know how I did that. I would have beaten Querrey in that match as well, but with each minute that passed, I was feeling worse.
“That was one of my better achievements – to make the quarters that year and get close to the semis. Probably one of the reasons why I still feel like I can do well.”
After constant battles with his hip Murray will play Wimbledon but although he admits that he plays each match like its his last, he feels he has more to give on the big stages, “I don’t want it to be my last Wimbledon. That’s not my plan.”
“I’m not going into Wimbledon thinking I’m saying goodbye. I want to keep going and I want to keep playing. But obviously I don’t know.
“If I got a significant injury or whatever, then that would obviously change things. But I guess that’s the case with most players when they get into their mid-30s. I’m still planning on playing for as long as I can.”
The 2013 and 2016 champion will start his campaign on Monday and is feeling excited of his return to grand slam tennis after a decent showing at Queens Club against eventual champion Matteo Berrettini, “I think I’ll be excited.”
“I’m sure I’ll be nervous as well. It’ll be great. Obviously, I’ve missed playing in front of fans. It was nice to be able to get the opportunity to do that at Queen’s but I’ve also just missed playing at Wimbledon, playing at the majors, really.
“I’ve always preferred the courts at Wimbledon. Even though I’ve played well at Queen’s and they’ve got great courts, it’s always a little bit quicker.
“I think I can do well. I don’t think there are that many guys who are unbelievably comfortable on the grass, so that plays in my favour. And obviously a lot of the younger guys didn’t get the opportunity to play on it last year.
“So I feel lucky that I’m getting another chance to do it and hopefully I can put in a solid performance.”
Murray will start his campaign on Monday when he plays 24th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili.
