This is my time, says grand slam-chasing Andy Murray after sealing second Wimbledon title with rout of Milos Raonic
Britain's Andy Murray has vowed to rack up copious grand slam titles after dismantling big-serving Milos Raonic on Centre Court to be crowned Wimbledon champion for a second time.
Murray was at his destructive best as he brushed aside Canada’s Raonic in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-2) to win the third grand slam of his career and a first since his 2013 success at the All England Club.
Despite the 29-year-old assuming the status of the first British man to win multiple Wimbledon singles titles since Fred Perry in 1935, his overall tally of grand slams would likely be greater had it not been for the strength of the era in which he plays.
World No1 Novak Djokovic, seven-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer and Spain’s Rafael Nadal have won 43 grand slams between them, although Murray believes his latest triumph could prove to be watershed moment.
“I still feel like my best tennis is ahead of me, that I have an opportunity to win more [grand slams],” said Murray. “Everyone’s time comes at a different stage. Some come in their early 20s, some mid 20s. Hopefully mine is still to come.
“I would have loved to have won more. The guys that I’ve been playing against have won lots. A lot of people say the best three players of all time potentially.
“I’ve won some matches against them in slams, but I’ve also lost quite a few too. If I want to add to three slams, I’m going to have to find ways to win against them. It’s very rare that you get through a slam without playing Novak, Roger or Rafa.”
Murray was playing in this 11th grand slam final but first against an opponent other than Djokovic and Federer, and he appeared to relish his status of favourite, while also harnessing the scars of past failures.
“When I was out there at the tight moments in the tie breaks, knowing how maybe he [Raonic] would have felt at those moments, being his first grand slam final, I do think that helped me during the match,” added Murray. “It was just the tight situations. I think I maybe dealt with them a little bit better because I’ve had more experience of these matches and these situations.
“I’m just really proud that I managed to do it again after a lot of tough losses in the latter stages of the slams over the last couple of years.
“To do it twice here, an event where there is a lot of pressure on me to perform well, I’m very proud with how I’ve handled that over the years.”
Murray’s latest major title also coincided with the return of eight-time grand slam winner Ivan Lendl to his coaching team last month. Murray won the US Open and Wimbledon as well as Olympic gold under Lendl’s stewardship between 2011 and 2014, while the winning formula was quickly reprised.
“He’s a leader, that’s important,” said Murray. “I trust in what he says, mainly because of the results we had the last time we worked together. I played my best tennis under him. He says exactly what he thinks. I don’t always like hearing it, but it is often what I need to hear.”