He said the arrival of his daughter has changed his outlook on life and it will ultimately “have a positive effect on my tennis career”.
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Andy Murray celebrated his 29th birthday with a long-sought 6-3, 6-3 victory over top rival Novak Djokovic to win the Rome Masters on Sunday.
“I asked him: “‘Is it necessary that somebody gets injured?'” Djokovic continued, “[before] he realizes what’s going on?’ It’s his decision whether or not the court is playable, but to me it’s ridiculous that [in] casual shoes he comes out and just slides on the line and says, ‘OK, the court is good’.
A tough three set win in the final of the Madrid Masters proved to the Serb that Murray has built on the progress of last season to construct a durable game on clay.
“When you play against the best players in the world you go in knowing that you have to play great tennis to win”.
Victory sees Murray return to second in the world ranking ahead of the French Open, the year’s second grand slam, which gets under way on May 22.
“I think he s using the court better now”.
“I’ve played well on all of the surfaces, but in the last couple of years clay has probably been my most successful surface, which I never expected”, Murray said.
“At the French Open, the conditions are also a bit quicker, which he likes”. He’s been consistently playing well [at Roland Garros] throughout the years, and I’m sure he’s going to be very motivated to do well again. Djokovic saved them all, but two games later Murray grabbed the first break of the match when he forced Djokovic into a backhand error for 3-1.
In the week that Murray announced an amicable split from coach Amelie Mauresmo, this was only the second time in their last 14 meetings that he had beaten Djokovic and it was his first victory in their six duels on clay.
“I’m not taking anything away from Andy’s win”.
Serena Williams had to overcome a stubborn effort from Madison Keys to win the first all-American women’s tour final for four years in straight sets in Rome. Murray held all nine of his service games while fighting off three break points in the process to get the job done after one hour and 35 minutes. “I haven’t won all of the matches, but I competed extremely well”.
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He believes it is unlikely anyone will be in place for Roland Garros but has targeted the week after Paris as a possible time to trial someone new.
