Murray angling for more grand slams post-Wimbledon win

World number two modest about possibility of knighthood.

LONDON: Andy Murray said he was determined to push on from his stunning Wimbledon win and add further Grand Slam titles to his achievements.

Speaking after a near sleepless night, Murray returned early morning to his press duties hailed as a national hero, having become the first British player to lift the gold trophy in 77 years.

His emotion-charged 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 win over top-seed Novak Djokovic on a baking-hot centre court on Sunday left the 26-year Scot drained but still lucid over what faces him next in his tennis career.

“I need to try and improve and use this hopefully as a springboard to try and get better,” he told BBC Five Live.

“I may never win another slam, I don’t know, but I’m going to try as hard as I can and keep working hard and not worry about all of the other stuff that comes along with winning Wimbledon, and after a few days I will enjoy this and get back to work.”

Murray’s historic win sparked immediate speculation that he would be awarded a knighthood by the queen for his achievement.

Asked about the possibility, Murray remained coy saying that he was not sure he was worthy of it.

“It’s a nice thing to have or be offered, but I don’t know if my win merits that.”

‘Don’t squander my success’

Murray warned the country’s tennis establishment that if the millions of dollars generated by Wimbledon are squandered, Britain may wait another 77 years to celebrate a homegrown champion.

Amidst the hysteria and the congratulations, which poured in from Hollywood stars to Queen Elizabeth, Murray highlighted that the sport is still struggling in Britain.

World number two Murray is Britain’s only player in the top 200. James Ward is the next best at 219 with Daniel Baker at 255 and Alex Bogdanovic, at 275, in the slipstream.

All this despite Wimbledon making a profit of $56.248 million in 2012 – all of which was ploughed back into the sport in the country.

“I think with the amount of money that’s invested in the sport in this country, it shouldn’t take another 70 odd years,” said Murray.

Djokovic will learn from Wimbledon woe

The Serb, on the other hand, insists he will absorb the lessons of his painful Wimbledon final defeat against Murray and come back stronger than ever.

The 26-year-old vowed to study the performance again in a bid to clean up his game in time for the US Open in August.

“I try to always analyse, especially the losses, because that’s where you have done something wrong,” said Djokovic. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, I guess. I need to have that kind of mentality and move on. I’m still young and hopefully I have more opportunities to win this title.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2013.

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