Sir Andy Murray has been praised by his former rival and 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer who counted on Brit to make a deep run at Wimbledon this year. Murray has made a convincing start on grass by claiming Surbiton Challenger title and reaching the quarters in Nottingham. Federer 41, also praised Djokovic for his record-breaking 23-Grand Slams while also explaining why 36-year old Brit deserves a proper sort of round of applause for everything he has done in his illustrious career.
The Swiss Grass court maestro who was in London to participate in the inauguration of two new courts in Greenwich, waxed lyrical about Murray’s commitment and passion for the game, “Andy is a special man and I’m very happy he’s still able to play. He loves it.”
Federer continued, “He truly loves it. With all the complications he’s had with his hip, it’s amazing to see that he’s still going and I think we all should give him like, a proper sort of round of applause if you like, because what he’s going through and what he’s achieving with what he’s gone through is incredible.”
“Funny enough, he just won a Challenger, I believe in Surbiton last week. I played that back in ’99, lost in the semis. And he won the same week as Novak [Djokovic] got to this incredible record of 23 Slams that also deserves so much respect.”
For Murray, Wimbledon certainly is a very important tournament and Federer who has clinched the prestigious major a record eight-time, has wished him luck ahead of the grass slam.
“So I’m a big fan of Andy’s as well and I wish him all the best for Wimbledon as that’s his best surface in my mind, especially nowadays,” added Federer. “So I hope he wins many, many rounds at Wimbledon in a couple of weeks.”
The Brit is expected to extend his splendid start on the lawns; he will face now face a younger Swiss, Dominic Stricker in the quarter-final of the Nottingham Challenger.
Andy Murray at Wimbledon
Murray in famously known for ending the Britain’s Wimbledon drought after a wait of 77-year when he sealed the title in 2013 after losing his maiden final in the previous year (2012) to aforementioned Federer at the All-England club. The Brit bagged his second goldenware in 2016. After surviving a hip injury, the Brit last year fell to his worst performance at The Championships by getting eliminated by American veteran and one of the greatest serve bot, John Isner. Murray has an overall record of 60-12 (83%) at the Wimbledon that includes 3 finals, 3 semi-finals and 3 quarter-finals.