ANDY MURRAY will begin the defence of his Wimbledon title two months from today and yesterday, as he contemplated his form, the world No.1 said he expected to see Maria Sharapova in the draw, one way or the other.
Murray was speaking at London’s Queen’s Club, where he will try for his sixth Aegon Championships title next month, the start of a run he hopes will end with a third Wimbledon title.
The Scot turns 30 on May 15, is now physically 100% after a recent elbow injury and confident he will play his best tennis when it matters, first at the French Open this month and then at Wimbledon, which begins on July 3.
Murray has been one of the most outspoken players on the return of Sharapova after a 15-month ban for a doping violation, arguing it would be better if she were not given wildcards into main draws, instead working her way back without the help of generous tournament directors.
Yesterday, dressed in a white tracksuit and looking fit and confident after reaching the semi-finals in Barcelona last week, Murray said Wimbledon would be happiest if they did not have to make a decision on Sharapova at all.
“There’s a good chance that she can get in by right, which I’m sure is what she’s hoping for and that’s what Wimbledon would be hoping for, so they’re not in a position to have to make that decision,” Murray said.
Sharapova will learn on May 16 if she will be given a French Open wildcard, while good performances in Madrid and Rome this month would see her ranked high enough to earn direct entry to Wimbledon. Qualifying, either by right or through a wildcard, would be the only other option.
“I think there’s a good chance Wimbledon would give her one to get into qualies (qualifying),” Murray said.
“I don’t know exactly what they are going to do but from what I’ve heard there are also a lot of logistical issues with doing that, with Roehampton and if they have the infrastructure for her to come and play there.
“I’m sure they are hoping they don’t have to make the decision, we will see in two and a half weeks time.”
More immediately, Murray now heads to Madrid to prepare for the second Masters 1000 of the clay-court season.
Twelve months ago, he reached the final in Madrid, before winning in Rome, finishing runner-up at the French Open and then going on to win Queen’s and a second Wimbledon title.
“Barcelona was a really important week for me,” said Murray, who described his state of mind and physical state as “much better than three or four weeks ago”. “I played three matches in three days for the first time since Dubai and physically that was good for me.
“Physically, I am getting back to where I need to be, and I feel like I am able to put in the work I need to be able to play my best tennis, which was a bit of a struggle for me at a few points this year.”
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