Wimbledon - Henman: Murray can win Wimbledon

Eurosport - Sun, 21 Jun 17:01:00 2009

Tim Henman believes Andy Murray has won over the Wimbledon crowd and has the mental strength to challenge for his first Grand Slam title.

2009 Queen's Andy Murray - 0

Murray goes into next week's championship at SW19 as the third seed, and his predecessor as British number one thinks he can count on the centre court crowd to roar him on.

"Andy did a great job last year handling the pressure, getting to the quarters," Henman told Eurosport-Yahoo!

"First and foremost, he has such a great game, and that's the most important factor. He has such a good head on his shoulders, he isn't interested in what happens off the court."

Murray has not enjoyed unconditional love from the British tennis fans who cheered Henman so enthusiastically to four semi-finals at the All-England Club.

The proud Scot's apparent reluctance to fly the British flag resulted in controversy in 2006 when he joked that he would support anybody but England at the football World Cup.

However, Henman believes that Murray was the victim of mischievous reporting.

"It all goes back to the interview when he said he'd support anyone but England in the football," he said.

"I was at the interview, and he was completely stitched up. What he said couldn't have been further from the truth. We were just having a bit of banter, talking about Scotland not being at the World Cup, and it was blown out of all proportion.

"It is an example of how you have to be careful about what you say, even if it is jest."

However, Murray's march to the last eight helped him convert all but his harshest critic, particularly an epic comeback in the last 16 to beat Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the last 16.

"I think last year's five-setter against Gasquet was a turning point in his relationship with the fans. He came through a fantastic match and really seemed to win them over," said Henman.

The 34-year-old sees Murray as one of only two players capable of winning the title, along with new top seed Roger Federer following Rafael Nadal's withdrawal.

"I still can't see the winner coming from outside the top two. Federer and Murray have put in some incredible performances in the last 12 months," he said.

"You have to give Federer a slight edge. His record on grass is ridiculous, winning five in a row. Last year's final is the only match he has lost on grass in six years. He's never somebody you can write off.

"Murray is closing in, and with the home crowd roaring him on it is going to take a hell of an effort to beat him."

Robinsons, official Wimbledon sponsors, and Tim Henman are encouraging families to hit the courts this summer. For more information log on to www.robinsonsdrinks.com/wimbledon.

Alex Chick / Eurosport

Comment 104 - 123 of 123

Sort comments by: Most recent

  1. Fabulous start to Wimbledon - Loved Roger Federer's­ entrance onto the Centre Court Arena, he gives so much ­ attention to detail, and does not hide how much he­ loves Tennis and about making an impression on the­ opening scene of this great tournament.
    May I take­ this opportunity to wish Andy Murray all the very best­ for his match tomorrow, he will have all the Tennis­ Fans in the whole country hoping he will keep his COOL­ and FOCUS - he is sure to make us proud no matter what­ the outcome.

    From dorothy B, on Mon 22 Jun 4:11PM

  2. murrays arse will collapse again he always fails in the­ big tournaments. send him back to scotland its full of­ sporting losers even the celtic fans still go on about­ winning a european cup that happend nearly 50 years­ ago./ENGLISH SAM

    From john, on Mon 22 Jun 3:35PM

  3. it'll be like every other tournament, when Murray­ is winnin he's British but as soon a he loses­ he'll beback 2 being Scottish. it's time 4 a­ new name 2 go on the trophy & it would be nice 2­ see Murray winnin it. Federer has enough.

    From annettegannon, on Mon 22 Jun 11:22AM

  4. I'm quite sure Fed's got more fans in Britain­ than andy. It's just like Spain v Scotland in the­ futball world cup hosted by the scot.Who do u tink the­ Scot fan will support?

    From dimeji_stunt, on Mon 22 Jun 5:45AM

  5. I'm quite sure Fed's got more fans in Britain­ than andy. It's just like Spain v Scotland in the­ futball world cup hosted by the scot.Who do u tink the­ Scot fan will support?

    From dimeji_stunt, on Mon 22 Jun 5:43AM

  6. I'm quite sure Fed's got more fans in Britain­ than andy. It's just like Spain v Scotland in the­ futball world cup hosted by the scot.Who do u tink the­ Scot fan will support?

    From dimeji_stunt, on Mon 22 Jun 5:41AM

  7. I'm quite sure Fed's got more fans in Britain­ than andy. It's just like Spain v Scotland in the­ futball world cup hosted by the scot.Who do u tink the­ Scot fan will support?

    From dimeji_stunt, on Mon 22 Jun 5:40AM

  8. All the best Andy. With your attacking play and­ charming personality, I'm sure you'll entertain­ us even if you don't win.

    From Chemical Ali, on Mon 22 Jun 1:29AM

  9. Good luck Andy, give it your best try you cant ask for­ any more than that. all the best mate.

    From JamesH, on Mon 22 Jun 1:23AM

  10. Fred Perry's got more chance of winning this than­ Andy Murray has.
    He's defo got more chance of­ getting past round one than any of the British women!

    From cameron w, on Sun 21 Jun 11:41PM

  11. Its not because he (Murray) is playing at home means­ that he has great chances of winning this...we all know­ that he doesnt handle very well the pressure. At Aussie­ 09 he was one of the candidates to win it but what­ happened? Nadal did it. This year at Wimbledon Federer­ its gonna take it because he is one of the players with­ skills, experience to win it. That doesnt mean that­ Murray couldnt take it. I wish good luck to all...

    From Jailson, on Sun 21 Jun 10:21PM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    MICHAEL SCHUMACHERS THE STIG MAH AIRSE, CLAIRKSIN WIZ­ HAEIN AWBIDY OAN

    YAHOO SHID KEN BETTER

    From JEEMS, on Sun 21 Jun 10:14PM

  13. YET EVERY ONE HAS FORGOTTEN WHAT ANA AMZING GAME­ SODERLING HAD DURIN D ROALDN GARROS!!! .....EVERY ONE­ SHOULD BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR HIM!

    From Olucci N, on Sun 21 Jun 8:52PM

  14. Colin H= rascist pr ick who thinks he's funny

    I am­ English/Irish

    From rugbymad666, on Sun 21 Jun 8:15PM

  15. COLIN TAKE MA BOABY OOT YIR MOOTH AFORE YI STAIRT­ THROWIN MAYHEM ABOOT THE ROOM

    From JEEMS, on Sun 21 Jun 8:08PM

  16. har har har har har har har

    From Colin H, on Sun 21 Jun 8:01PM
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    murray turd

    From Colin H, on Sun 21 Jun 7:58PM
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    murray turd

    From Colin H, on Sun 21 Jun 7:57PM
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Henman was and still is a useless turd

    From Colin H, on Sun 21 Jun 7:57PM
  20. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Murray is a scots turd

    From Colin H, on Sun 21 Jun 7:52PM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account