‘No reason why not’ – Analyst backs Andy Murray for strong grass court season
Former British pro Barry Cowan believes Andy Murray will have plenty of opportunity to have a successful run of results on the grass this summer.
The two-time Wimbledon champion has had mixed results to start 2022, reaching the final of the Sydney Tennis Classic in January but failing to register consecutive match wins since.
However, Murray also breached the ATP top 100 for the first time in over three and a half years on 7th February, and currently sits at 84th in the world rankings.
Moving forward Cowan, who gained recognition by taking then world number one Pete Sampras to five sets at Wimbledon 2001, believes the promise of the summer grass will push Murray to a higher level.
“I think the grass court season is something [Murray] will really look forward to,” Cowan told Sky Sports.
“I think it will really motivate him to play his best tennis.
“He will get the support that he absolutely wants.”
Last year, after sitting out the singles tour for three months due to injury, Murray returned at Queen’s for his first appearance in the singles since 2018 and his first singles appearance on grass at ATP tour level for three years.
After winning his first match against Benoit Paire, the five-time Queen’s champion got emotional, tearing up as he relayed the significance of the moment and took in the crowd support.
At Wimbledon, despite being far below his highest standard physically and mentally, Murray was buoyed by the home crowd as he fought through to the third round before losing to eventual semi-finalist Denis Shapovalov.
The lack of match preparation ahead of the grass in 2021 may have capped Murray’s potential quite low, something Cowan hopes the Brit can rectify in 2022.
“It [depends] how he can get himself in the right shape, in terms of enough matches under his belt before the grass.
“I don’t see any reason why Andy can’t have a really good run on the grass.”
Eight of Murray’s 46 career ATP titles have come on grass, including five Queen’s crowns, two Wimbledon triumphs and an Olympic gold medal at London 2012, also played at Wimbledon.
In addition, Murray has claimed the Queen’s-Wimbledon double twice, in 2013 and 2016, translating to an unbeaten record of 12-0 in the grass court season those two years.
Queen’s 2022 will kick off on 13th June before Eastbourne begins on 20th June and finally Wimbledon runs from 27th June until 10th July.
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