Wimbledon champion says he hopes he doesn't lose hunger to win grand slams after maiden win at SW19
Andy Murray has vowed to use the Wimbledon title as motivation to try to add to his haul of grand slam trophies.u00a0The 26-year-old followed up last summer’s US Open triumph by ending Britain’s 77-year wait for a Wimbledon men’s singles champion.
Andy Murray poses with the trophy next to Fred Perry’s statue at Wimbledon. PIC/Getty Images
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Having battled so hard to win a first grand slam title, Murray has now achieved two of his biggest goals in less than 12 months as well as winning Olympic gold. u00a0The Scot returned to Wimbledon yesterday morning bleary-eyed after his Champions’ Dinner and will celebrate with his team before heading off on holiday.
‘Hard work worth it’
But Murray is confident winning the most prestigious trophy in tennis will make him more not less hungry, with the defence of his US Open title the next big thing on the agenda. He said: “I hope I don’t lose hunger. I should be able to use this for motivation.u00a0“I know what it’s like losing in a Wimbledon final and I know what it’s like winning one, and it’s a lot better winning. The hard work is worth it.
“I just need to make sure I don’t get sidetracked by anything after the next few days. u00a0“Yes enjoy it and celebrate, then go away, rest up and get ready for the US Open.u00a0I’ve never had to defend a grand slam before, that will be a new experience for me, and I look forward to that.”u00a0Murray’s targets also include taking Novak Djokovic’s World No 1 spot, but he remains almost 3,000 points behind.
Given Murray cannot gain any points at the US Open, it will be difficult for the Scot to reach the top this year.u00a0He is slightly bemused he is not closer, saying: “It’s a tough one for me because right now I’ve won two slams and been in the final of a third one and I hold the Olympic gold, and I’m nowhere near being No 1.
“I don’t know exactly why that is. Maybe I need to be more consistent in the other events.u00a0“Missing the French Open obviously didn’t help that but I would rather not get to No 1 and win more grand slams than never win another grand slam and get to No 1.”
Building from win
Murray’s triumph should present a golden opportunity to grow tennis in this country, but the chances of another British man following in his footsteps any time soon appear remote. u00a0The Scot tries to stay away from the annual hoopla around the championships but hopes Wimbledon will now be seen as a British sporting triumph rather than a fortnight of soul-searching.
He said: “I know how long it’s been, there’s been a lot of close calls. Tim (Henman) obviously got close a few times, I’d got close a few times, so to have finally done it, I think it’ll be nice that as a nation we don’t have to look at Wimbledon as a negative, it can be viewed as a positive, and I just hope it’s not another 70-odd years.”
Murray only slept for around an hour after his win, instead choosing to catch up on messages from friends, with Sir Alex Ferguson and David Beckham among those to send their congratulations.u00a0
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