Andy Murray explains why he is happy to avoid Dan Evans and Cameron Norrie at Battle of the Brits

Andy Murray will play his first match in seven months when the Battle of the Brits tournament gets under way on Tuesday.
The three-time Grand Slam champion has been out of action since November with a bruised bone which hampered him during Great Britain’s Davis Cup campaign, but makes his comeback against Liam Broady in the all-British tournament at the National Tennis Centre.
Murray was set to return to action on the ATP Tour in April, but that was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Battle of the Brits: When is it, who will take part, schedule, TV and video on demand channels
With tennis now able to resume, brother Jamie is hosting a round-robin tournament in Roehampton that sees the former world No 1 joined by Dan Evans, Broady, Kyle Edmund, James Ward, Jay Clarke, Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper in the singles competition.
Murray begins his campaign against the world No 211 Broady, before matches later in the week versus Edmund and Ward, but has been playing down his chances.
The Scot has been beaten by Norrie and Draper in practise sets in recent weeks and claims not to be expecting to get out of the group stage, with the banter lying among the players.
@andy_murray is happy with his draw but who does he think is tournament favourite⁉️#battleofthebrits 🇬🇧🎾🏆 pic.twitter.com/ffu1mdPugQ
— Schroders Battle of The Brits (@BattleofTheBrit) June 13, 2020
Murray said after the draw was made: “I am happy with my draw. I wanted to avoid Evo and Cam, definite favourites for the tournament, they are in good, good shape right now.
“Liam Broady has been doing a lot of chatting in the last couple of weeks so I am looking forward to playing him.
“It’s definitely between Cam and Evo, Cam has been practising for the last 10 weeks in New Zealand, he took me out in practice 6-1 6-3. Evo is 28 in the world and also talks a good game.
@andy_murray is happy with his draw but who does he think is tournament favourite⁉️#battleofthebrits 🇬🇧🎾🏆 pic.twitter.com/ffu1mdPugQ
— Schroders Battle of The Brits (@BattleofTheBrit) June 13, 2020
“I am looking to finish third in my group, I’d be happy with my result. If I made the weekend I’d be delighted and surprised. I haven’t played since November, metal hip and a lot of physical issues.”
Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski kick off the day in a doubles match against Broady and Norrie, before Edmund takes on Ward and Evans plays Clarke.
Andy Murray is next on against Broady before Draper and Edmund take on Clarke and Dom Inglot in the doubles.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official.
Latest
-
Wimbledon
Jodie Burrage adding to the momentum behind Brits ahead of Wimbledon
Burrage’s journey, not only on grass courts but on tour as a whole, has not been smooth sailing.
-
Wimbledon
Exclusive – Rumours over Emma Raducanu’s Wimbledon withdrawal as John Lloyd gives his verdict
US Open champion Raducanu has not played since withdrawing from the Rothesay Open Nottingham with the injury that continues to trouble her.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon: Jack Draper feels ‘ready to be dangerous’ following last four run in Eastbourne
Draper was beaten in the Eastbourne semi-finals by Maxime Cressy on Friday.
-
Wimbledon
Emma Raducanu can rise above the pressure and deliver at Wimbledon
The 19-year-old sparked more fears around her fitness by pulling out of a practice session on Friday.
-
News
Eastbourne: Jack Draper misses out on maiden ATP final
Cressy continued his conquering of the British players to edge through 7-6 (5) 6-7 (2) 6-3.
-
News
Ukraine grateful to Wimbledon for its decision to ban Russian players
The Ukrainian teenager says she has been “constantly disappointed” at the reaction of tennis since Russia’s invasion.
-
Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal making the most of every minute on grass
Rafael Nadal is upbeat ahead of Wimbledon.
-
Tennis News
Emma Raducanu’s agent defends teen star’s work schedule
Emma Raducanu’s agent Max Eisenbud insists the young star’s off-court commitments have not impacted her performance at all.
-
Wimbledon
Emma Raducanu should limit off-court obligations according to former prodigy
Pam Shriver says she doesn’t expect much from Emma Raducanu at Wimbledon.
-
Wimbledon
Andy Murray says ‘I still believe I can win Wimbledon’ and working hard to ‘achieve that goal’
Andy Murray believes he can win a third Wimbledon title.