Murray determined to win maiden Grand Slam

"It’s the last thing that I really want to achieve in my career," says Murra

NEW YORK: Andy Murray believes that his Olympic gold medal eased the heartbreak of his shattering Wimbledon defeat so much that he is now perfectly-placed to become Britain’s first Grand Slam champion in 76 years.

“It’s the last thing that I really want to achieve in my career, so that’s why it’s obviously very important for me,” said Murray, who reached a second US Open final with a 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 7-6 (9/7) win over Tomas Berdych. “Winning the Olympics did take a bit of the pressure off. I did feel a lot better after that. Maybe had less doubts about myself and my place in the game just now.

“So, winning a major is the last thing that I really want to do in my career. You saw at Wimbledon how much that meant to me when I lost to Roger. It’s obviously not easy to lose another grand slam final, so I hope this one is a different story when I take to the court on Monday.”

With both Roger Federer – beaten in the quarter-finals – and Rafael Nadal – absent through injury – not involved, this could be Murray’s best chance of winning a Grand Slam.

“I think my results in the grand slams over the last couple of years have been very good. Whatever happens in the final, it’s been a great year. But all I want to make sure I do in the final is that I give 110 per cent. I know how hard these opportunities are to come by.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 10^th, 2012.