Murray boxing clever ahead of Tsonga clash

Senior Features Writer

Friday 6 July 2012

ANDY Murray was in a reflective, fun mood yesterday in the run-up to his Wimbledon semi-final battle with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga – sharing thoughts on favourite boxers, superheroes and ice cream.

COURT STAR: Andy Murray is watched by coach Ivan Lendl as he practises for today's Wimbledon clash against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Picture: PA

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Brian Beacom

His answers to a series of What If? questions were revealing.

When asked to compare, for example, the top four men's tennis players to boxers, the Scot claimed he would choose to be Floyd Mayweather, the American WBA super welterweight champion.

Murray, 25, said: "I'd say Roger Federer would be like Sugar Ray Leonard, renowned for his style. Rafael Nadal would be like Manny Pacquiao – ferocious, powerful and relentless. Novak Djokovic would be like Roberto Duran – as tough and versatile as they come."And I'll pick Floyd Mayweather for myself; he's my favourite boxer to watch."The boxer has traits which are evident in Murray's performance on the tennis court. Mayweather seems to show his best when he's on the ropes, when it looks like hope has faded. And he's a thinker in the ring, not one to rely on brute strength but to box clever, using artistry and guile to defeat his opponent. Murray – who admits to celebrating his Wimbledon victories this year with an ice cream (a Feast, for ice cream aficionados and the makers' marketing bosses) – expanded on dream what-ifs when asked if he could have any other player's shot.The British Number One said he would love the serve of big-hitters John Isner or Ivo Karlovic. And, in an appreciative nod to his coach Ivan Lendl, he said he would love to get his hands on the titles Lendl won. "His record at the US Open was unbelievable," said Murray. "He reached eight consecutive finals there between 1982 and 1989 and won the title three times. I'd happily take the titles and finals."The Scot was also asked which superhero he would most like to be. "I quite like the idea of being Superman and being able to fly," said Murray."Being invisible would be pretty cool. Are there any invisible superheroes? Is The Invisible Man a superhero?"Back closer to reality, the Scot, who powered to victory in the quarter-finals against David Ferrer, said his ideal mixed doubles partner would be Serena Williams. And he revealed how he relaxes after matches. "Now Euro 2012 is finished, I guess my evenings will be spent on the PlayStation, watching the tennis, some movies and eating."Murray also spoke about how he could have made it as a footballer, having had trials with Rangers as a teenager.He said: "I had the trials and they actually went well. I was asked to go [to Ibrox] but decided to move to Spain to pursue a tennis career and probably wouldn't have made it professionally anyway. ."Particularly given the Scottish club's current problems, Murray can take consolation from the fact he's No 4 tennis player in the world and has an estimated wealth of £24 million, half of this coming from prize money.If he gets past Tsonga today and is crowned Wimbledon champion on Sunday, tennis fans will also be in the money, with bookmakers saying they will have to pay out £5m to patriotic punters.Murray is currently 4/1 to win his first Grand Slam – the first by a Briton since Fred Perry 76 years ago. Reigning champion Novak Djokovic (4/9 for the title) is favoured to join the Scot in Sunday's final over Roger Federer who is at 7/4 to win Wimbledon.

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Murray boxing clever ahead of Tsonga clash

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