Andy Murray winning Wimbledon ‘a step too far’ claims predecessor
Andy Murray has withdrawn from Roland Garros to prioritise the grass court season and while former British No.1 Tim Henman has ‘no doubt’ that the Scot can make the second week, he has claimed that winning a third Wimbledon title is ‘a step too far’.
Murray spoke back in April about the different experiences he has had of playing Roland Garros and winning Wimbledon, revealing he still had ‘ambitions’ of lifting the title once more at SW19.
The three-time Grand Slam champion ended Henman’s seven-year stint as British No.1 in 2006, and the now retired pundit has had his say on Murray’s chances going into the grass major.
“I think winning it is probably a step too far,” claimed Henman. “But certainly when you reflect on how well he played in Australia and those matches he’s been able to come through, on grass there’s no doubt that he can get into the second week.”
Henman continued, “When you get into the second week, draws can open up. So I think that’s what I’m looking for, to try and see him get through the first week and then build that momentum into the second week and see if he can have another deep run in a Slam.”
“His experience is invaluable. And grass is – there aren’t that many opportunities obviously because the grass-court season is so short so there’s not that much time for players to gain that experience so he definitely has that, he’s won Wimbledon twice and he’ll have unbelievable support there so that is a really exciting aspect to look forward to.”
While nothing has been confirmed, fans have speculated that Murray will begin his grass court season at the Surbiton Challenger event like last year.
The event begins on the second week of Roland Garros and includes fellow Brit Jack Draper, with Murray facing a race against time to become a seed for Wimbledon which begins on Monday 3rd July.
Andy Murray at Wimbledon
Murray famously ended Britain’s 77-year wait for a home men’s singles champion in 2013, and went onto win the title again in 2016.
Despite his ambitions to challenge once again in 2023, Murray fell to his worst performance at The Championships last year when he lost in the second round to John Isner.
Here is Murray’s record at Wimbledon over the years:
Win-loss record: 60-12 (83%)
2005 – Third Round
2006 – Fourth Round
2008 – Quarter-final
2009 – Semi-final
2010 – Semi-final
2011 – Semi-final
2012 – Final
2013 – Champion
2014 – Quarter-final
2015 – Semi-final
2016 – Champion
2017 – Quarter-final
2021 – Third Round
2022 – Second Round
5️⃣ of the very best from @andy_murray at @wimbledon in 2016#WimbledonRecreated pic.twitter.com/xFpVX8TgHu
— LTA (@the_LTA) July 13, 2020
Join >> Receive $700/£600 of tennis gear from the Tennishead CLUB
Social >> Facebook, Twitter & YouTube
Read >> World’s best tennis magazine
Shop >> Lowest price tennis gear from our trusted partner