Last Updated: Monday, 20 February 2006, 17:27 GMT
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4733688.stm
Murray picks US as best Slam hope
Andy Murray says the US Open is his best chance of Grand Slam success
because of the "hype and pressure" around British hopefuls at Wimbledon.
Murray, up to 47th in the world after taking his first ATP tournament win
in San Jose on Sunday, says the US Open is his favourite tournament.
"Everybody puts so much pressure on the British players at Wimbledon," he
said.
"It might be easier for me to win a US Open because you're not around all the
hype and the pressure."
Murray, who beat Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt in San Jose, told BBC
radio Five Live British fans seemed to forget there was more to tennis than
Wimbledon.
"The one thing I want everyone to try to realise back home is that there's 11
more months in the year," he said.
"The US Open is my favourite tournament," said the Dunblane youngster. "
I've won there as a junior and if I could pick a Grand Slam to win I'd take
that one.
It is pretty tricky because I come off the court and I have to be careful
what I say
Andy Murray
"If I was to have my best tournament at Wimbledon then that's great, but if
not I hope it's at one of the other Grand Slams."
Murray, whose career highlights have come primarily on the US hardcourt
circuit, believes a lot of the pressure at Wimbledon comes from the increased
press attention.
Murray, said he had problems with the press at the Australian Open -
where he lost his first-round match to Juan Ignacio Chela in straight sets -
but he had little trouble while playing in America
"There weren't any of the press guys from Britain here [in San Jose], and
last year I played my best tennis in America when none of the British press
guys were there.
"It is pretty tricky because I come off the court and I have to be careful
what I say. You have to analyse every match and you've got people questioning
you.
"Last year it was my fitness, this year it's been my serve, my slice,
anything - they pick up on the smallest thing and they can bite away at your
confidence a little bit.
"But I think I'm strong enough to deal with that."
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