Andy Murray has been quick to play down his chances at Wimbledon:follow, knowing there is plenty of pressure on him already. However, privately he must think this is his best chance of winning a Grand Slam, and he is right.
Murray is perfectly prepared, having won at the Aegon Championships at Queen’s club last weekend. He looked totally at ease on grass, a surface his game is suited to. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have not struck a competitive ball on grass all season.
These two figures loom large over Murray’s hopes. Such is their skill and professionalism a lack of preparation is no great hindrance and the Scot knows he will have to be at his best to beat either of the players who have monopolised the major titles in recent years.
However, it is certainly a good time to take them on. Nadal is struggling with his persistent knee problems and might not feature at all. He was not at his best at the French Open and the holder will need all his famous powers of determination and stamina to defend his title if he does take part.
Federer is too experienced to lose focus, but there is no doubt that his bid to win at Roland Garros and match Pete Sampras on 14 Slam titles consumed him. This might free him up at Wimbledon, or it might take the edge off his competitive spirit.
Either way, Murray will not fear Federer. The Swiss legend’s prowess on grass is hard to ignore, but so is Murray’s head-to-head record with Federer. He has won their last four meetings and six of their eight overall.
Federer will point out that he won their only Grand Slam meeting in convincing fashion, in last year’s US Open final and it is true that Murray is inexperienced in the latter stages of major tournaments.
| Murray will win a Grand Slam at some point in his career and this is his best chance to do so. He appears to be the only real challenger to the two favourites and British tennis fans can for once be excused for proclaiming this year to be the one that will a produce a British Wimbledon winner. [Tennis betting | follow](http://betting.betfair.com/tennis/){:rel=’nofollow’,:target=’_new’} is certainly going to be interesting in the build-up. |