Exclusive – Tim Henman backs Andy Murray to defy his doubters once again

Andy Murray delighted

Tim Henman believes Andy Murray has what it takes to silence his critics, as he spoke to Tennis365 in another exclusive interview.

Murray has struggled to find his best form in recent weeks after a disappointing early exit at Wimbledon has been backed up by some early round losses at the start of the American hard court season.

That has inspired fresh questions over Murray’s future in the game, but former British No 1 Henman suggests his wins against top players over the last year and rise back into the top 50 of the ATP rankings will give him enough confidence to fight on.

“Being a professional tennis player is the best job in the world and while you are still enjoying it and the challenges that go with it, you should play for as long as you want,” Henman told Tennis365 as he promoted the Play Your Way To Wimbledon competition.

“He has been able to play a consistent schedule without having too many physical setbacks. He is back inside the top 50 and he only scratching the surface.

“He will get back into the top 32, he will be seeded in the Slams, will get protection through the draws.

“With the players he has beaten of late, there is no doubt in my mind that he can have another good run in a Slam.

“He has reached finals in Sydney and Stuttgart this year, so that shows he is competitive in ATP events and he just needs to turn around the tight games that have gone against him. When he starts doing that, I’m sure he can do well in the events that matter most to him.”

Henman believes Murray can add to the positive vibes around British tennis after a few weeks that saw Cameron Norrie reach the Wimbledon semi-finals and Dan Evans get to the last four of the ATP 1000 event in Montreal last week,

“There are so many good stories around British tennis at the moment,” he added.

“This Play Your Way To Wimbledon event is absolutely fantastic for inspiring the next generation in our game and we have had a great run in British tennis at the moment.

“You see the excitement in youngster’s faces at this This Play Your Way To Wimbledon competition and they are looking at the success of British players and thinking they could be next.

“We have so many positive stories in British tennis at the moment, with the men’s players doing so well and Emma Raducanu’s US Open success last year a real moment of inspiration. Long may it continue.”

Henman was speaking at a Play Your Way to Wimbledon event, after the finals we staged at the All England Club last weekend.

The competition looks to inspire the next generation of tennis talent; allowing junior players to follow in the footsteps of their heroes and compete for a chance to play on Wimbledon’s iconic courts.

Formerly known as the Road to Wimbledon, the competition launched in March and is delivered in partnership by the LTA, The All-England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, and Vodafone.

Thousands of 14&U and 18&U players took part in the qualifying stages this year, leading to county and regional finals in June and July, with the winners progressing to the national finals on Wimbledon’s famous grass courts.

Play Your Way to Wimbledon, Powered by Vodafone is the UK’s largest grassroots tennis competition and is delivered in partnership with the LTA, the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club and Vodafone.

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