Andy Murray news: Former No 1 backed to be great on grass

ATP Tour

James Richardson
February 28, 2022

Former pro Barry Cowan has backed Andy Murray to have a good season on grass this year.

Murray has made a stuttering return to the ATP Tour with an 8-6 win loss record this season.

The former World No 1 is taking a wait-and-see approach to tournament entries but has so far been handed wildcards to the events he has entered.

Cowan believes that Murray still has all the tools to be competitive on grass provided he is in good shape when the time comes.

“I think the grasscourt season is something he will really look forward to,” Cowan said in a video chat with Sky Sports.

“I think it will really motivate him to play his best tennis.”

Cowan believes that the crowds in Great Britain will lift Murray, who thrives when a crowd gets into the match.

“He will get the support that he absolutely wants,” Cowan added.

Cowan added that in the build-up to the grass court swing, all eyes will be on Murray and how he holds up on tour, as well as how many tournaments he enters.

“That’s the exciting part; it is how he can get himself in the right shape, in terms of enough matches under his belt before the grass.

“I don’t see any reason why Andy can’t have a really good run on the grass.”

Cowan feels that Murray won’t be able to maintain a high level of performance against the top players of the tour over a sustained period of time.

He cited the demanding schedule that Cameron Norrie has endured over the last two weeks as an example of what top players can expect from the ATP Tour.

“The other surfaces are of course getting more and more difficult for him because of the relentless nature of the tour and how hard it is physically to do it day in and day out,” Cowan added.

Murray will have until June to get himself into great shape for the month-long grass swing.

The first grass court events take place in the week of 6 June with the Rosmalen Championships and Stuttgart Open running concurrently.

If fit Murray will almost certainly enter Queen’s Club the following week and the Eastbourne ATP 250 that follows.

Andy Murray