Andy Murray confident of strong Wimbledon run after practice session with Novak Djokovic
The first of Murray’s two Wimbledon wins came in 2013 with a straight-sets victory over Djokovic, as the home favourite ended the 77-year wait for a British man to win the singles title.
Heading into this year’s championships, Djokovic is the defending champion and heavy favourite, as he looks to lift the Wimbledon trophy for an eighth time and in doing so continue his bid for a career Grand Slam.
Murray is unseeded and has not made it beyond the third round of a Slam since reaching the quarter-finals here six years ago, but arrives in upbeat mood after picking up titles in Surbiton and Nottingham on the Challenger Tour.
He played a practice set with Djokovic on Saturday, commenting afterwards that he “did well”, and the 36-year-old is confident that the next fortnight could be a successful one.
“I feel good,” Murray said. “I’ve obviously played lots of matches. Physically I’ve been feeling good. I’m ready to go.
“I want to go out there and perform at a level that I’m happy with. I do feel like I’m in a really, really good position to do that. I have the experience at this tournament. There’s only one player in the draw that has more experience of playing here than me, which is Novak.
“I certainly will be one of the only players that’s won against him here (he is the only one), as well. I need to use that to my advantage and use my experience to my advantage and take confidence from that.
“I do believe I’m one of the best grass-court players in the world, and I’m physically feeling really good. I prepared well, so there’s no reason why I can’t have a good tournament.”
Murray faces fellow Brit Ryan Peniston in the first round, with a potential clash against fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas to follow should he come through his opening test.
“I know him pretty well,” Murray said of Peniston. “We’ve practised together quite a lot. He obviously likes playing on the grass courts. He’s had some good wins on the surface. Lefty, moves very well. I need to be ready for that one.”
