Murray values grand slams, not ranking

World number two determined to defend US title later this month.

MONTREAL:

Andy Murray underlined his hunger for more grand slam silverware, saying he would pass up the chance to be world number one if it meant he could taste more major success.

The 26-year-old will play his first match since being crowned Wimbledon champion when he lines up at the Rogers Cup Masters Series event this week in Montreal.

“I want to try and win another grand slam,” said Murray. “Every player would like to get to number one but I would rather win another grand slam or two and not get to number one.”

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, the man Murray beat to the Wimbledon crown, currently occupies the top spot, with the Scot the world number two by some distance.

Murray’s next opportunity to add to his two grand slam titles will be when he returns to New York later this month as defending champion at the US Open, the title which he won in 2012 with a pulsating five-set victory over Djokovic.

His decision to hire eight-time grand slam winner Ivan Lendl as his coach has been inspired and the Czech has helped him shake off the tag of ‘choker’.

“Lendl lost his first four grand slam finals, I lost my first grand slam finals and felt like I was a loser, a choker.

“Speaking to him made me feel more normal. He went on to become a great tennis player. Being able to speak to him on an emotional level really helped.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2013.

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