Get mad and you will get even better: McEnroe offers Murray his blueprint
THREE-TIME champion John McEnroe has told Andy Murray to follow his example and get angry if he wants to triumph at Wimbledon.
Murray (right) launches his latest bid to break his Grand Slam duck this afternoon when he faces world No90 Jan Hajek on Court One.
The British No1 reached the last four 12 months ago but has looked out of sorts since losing in the final of the Australian Open, winning just 11 matches in five months.
But McEnroe believes aggression is the missing weapon in Murray’s arsenal and has urged the No4 seed to fire himself up before taking to the lawns of SW19.
“Here’s what he should do. In a survey of the most memorable moments in history here at Wimbledon, guess who came top? Me, saying, ‘You cannot be serious’.
“Not [Roger] Federer breaking the [Grand Slam] record, [Pat] Cash winning Wimbledon or Virginia Wade winning Wimbledon.
“So he has to go out on the court and say stuff like ‘You cannot be serious’, pump himself up. That’s what pumped me up. That was early in the tournament and I won that year [1981].”
Murray, 23, has blamed his slump on a lack of time in the gym, but McEnroe – champion in 1981, 1983 and 1984 – played down the Scot’s poor form.
“Everyone points fingers when it doesn’t go to plan but he has to rise to the occasion,” the American added. “I have seen him play some great tennis here, he got to the semis last year so he is capable of doing it.”
ORDER OF PLAY | TODAY
CENTRE COURT
Serena Williams (USA) (1) v
Michelle Larcher De Brito (Por)
Kei Nishikori (Jap) v Rafael Nadal (Spa) (2)
Robin Soderling (Swe) (6) v
Robby Ginepri (USA)
COURT ONE
Robert Kendrick (USA) v
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Fra) (10)
Jan Hajek (Cze) v Andy Murray (GBR) (4)
Caroline Wozniacki (Den) (3) v
Tathiana Garbin (Ita)