CONFIDENCE doesn’t quite ooze out of Andy Murray the way it does out of say, Roger Federer, but there was a palpable air of calm and renewed belief about the Scot yesterday as he outlined his plan of attack for what he hopes will be a first French Open title.
The luck of the draw, accompanied by former Olympic champion Marie Jose Perec in attendance as Paris pushes to stage the Games in 2024, saw Murray avoid nine-time champion Rafa Nadal to ensure a gentle-looking first week.
Murray opens against the wily Czech Radek Stepanek on Monday and though John Isner and Nick Kyrgios are in his quarter, it would be a surprise if he doesn’t at least make a fourth semi-final, where the holder, Stan Wawrinka is seeded to be waiting.
World No.1 Novak Djokovic remains the bookies’ favourite but anyone who listened to No.2 Murray discuss his chances of a first Roland Garros success would have gone away with their own belief reinforced.
That’s what a big win will do for you – his victory over Djokovic in the Rome final last weekend followed a runners-up showing in Madrid and a semi-final showing in Monte Carlo.
He is so relaxed in fact, that he says he’s not really tried to make any progress in looking for a new coach after the departure earlier this month of Amelie Mauresmo.
“I have spoken a little bit to my team about it, but I haven't spoken to anyone yet,” said Murray, who is working with Jamie Delgado but who has also been linked with a reunion with his former coach, Ivan Lendl, if they can make it work.
“Obviously, with the way that everything went in Rome and Madrid, things obviously are going well just now, so there’s no need to sort of rush into anything. I'm happy with the work I have done with Jamie so far.”
Murray has been impressed by the way Delgado, who is travelling with him for 40 weeks a year, has slotted into the team.
“Normally over time, when you spend so much time with each other, having a little bit of separation can be good, too,” he said. “But I enjoy working with him. I obviously know him very well. We get on well away from the court.
“He's a very good people person. He communicates very well with everyone. He gets on well with my whole team. I find it very easy to chat to him.
“He's pretty calm, relaxed. He's a relaxed guy. On top of that he’s very, very experienced around the Tour. He played 23 Wimbledons in a row, so he's been around the game a long, long time. And he's a good coach. I enjoy working with him and had good results too with Gilles Muller and we started well.”
After a couple of days of rain-interrupted practice, Murray trained yesterday with Nadal, the pair producing some outstanding exchanges that looked more like a match than a practice session.
While the chances of seeing any combination of Nadal, Federer and Djokovic practice together, Murray enjoys hitting with all of his rivals.
“They normally beat me so maybe they're a bit happier to practice with me,” Murray said, with a smile. “I have hit with them over the years a lot.
“Especially before big events or at the beginning of the year, you don't actually learn loads about their game when you're practicing with them, but it's great practice. Why not get the best practice possible before big events?
“Intensity is high when you're playing against the best players. You want to practice well. There's a little bit more incentive there in the practice. And it helps me, I think.”
Of the leading contenders, Nadal has the toughest draw, with big-serving Australian Sam Groth an awkward first opponent, Fabio Fognini a danger in round three and fast-rising Austrian Dominic Thiem in round four. And that’s before a semi-final against Djokovic.
Djokovic says he’s not feeling the pressure of trying to win the only grand slam title to elude him so far while Nadal is content with how his game has progressed in recent weeks. “I'm happy the way I have played since Indian Wells (in March),” he said. “A lot of tournaments in a row, playing well. I need to just keep going.”
Britain’s No.2 Aljaz Bedene faces Austrian qualifier Gerald Melzer while Britain’s Kyle Edmund plays Teymuraz Gabashvili of Russia.
On the women’s side, British No.1 Jo Konta, seeded for the first time in a grand slam, plays Germany’s Julia Goerges, Heather Watson meets American Nicole Gibbs and Laura Robson, using a protected ranking after injury, is up against No 28 seed Andrea Petkovic.
World No 1 Serena Williams opens the defence of her title against Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia.
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