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05/13/2024 10:27:28 am

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Tough Wimbledon Draw For Andy Murray

Andy Murray

(Photo : Getty Images) Aegon Championships - Day Seven

What are the odds of Andy Murray winning Wimbledon again? The answer may come from his spot in the draw that currently has him up against big names like Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Tomas Berdych. All are in the bottom half with Murray possibly facing Tsonga in the 4th round, Nadal in the quarterfinals and Federer in the semis. If all goes well for the Scot who is aiming for his 2nd Wimbledon crown, he may also face world no. 1 Novak Djokovic in the finals.

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For now, with his entourage of greatness - 2-time grand slam winner Amélie Mauresmo and former doubles no. 1 Jonas Bjorkman - rallying behind him, Murray is more focused on his preparation for the upcoming fortnight. A week ago, he captured his 4th Aegon Championships at Queen's Club, an indication of his grass court finesse that puts him on top of the contender list for Wimbledon which will commence a few days from now.

When he won the Championships in 2013, Murray dealt with a back problem that forced him to undergo surgery at the end of the year. Though he admitted that winning Wimbledon was great on its own, he wasn't pleased with the effects of the injury that affected him during practice and match play. But with that in the past, the world no. 3 feels better than ever.

"Now I love practising, love going in the gym, love training hard," Murray told the Independent. "You don't have to win every single week, because if you go in with that mindset you're never happy. If you expect to win every week, when you do win, well that's what you expected. Whereas if you just lower the expectations a little bit it makes you enjoy the game a bit more."

Murray will begin his title run at the All England Club against Kazakhstan's Mikhail Kukushkin, the world no. 58 who showed brilliance at last year's Championships by reaching the 3rd round before bowing out to Nadal.

Meanwhile, top-seeded Djokovic will open Centre Court on Monday against Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany. If he wins, the defending champion could face former no. 1 Lleyton Hewitt who will be playing his last Wimbledon.

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