Andy Murray inspired by Stanislas Wawrinka and Richard Gasquet

ATP Tour
Andy Murray on court

Andy Murray is inspired by fellow veterans Stanislas Wawrinka and Richard Gasquet and their love of tennis.

Murray has enjoyed a recent resurgence and says seeing other old hands fight it out on the ATP Tour lifts his spirits.

He says that he and Wawrinka share a bond thanks to their injury struggles.

The Swiss has trod his own steady path back from injury, and hasn’t been putting pressure on himself to get results.

“Me and Stan always stayed in touch during the injuries,” Murray told reporters at Indian Wells according to Eurosport.

“I mean not daily but messages here and there.

“We always got on very well together and obviously have shared the court many times with each other and stuff.

“We always sort of message each other and stayed in touch through the injuries.”

Wawrinka says that he has always enjoyed his tennis which makes it easier to be out on tour.

“I think I always enjoyed it,” Wawrinka told ATPTour.com.

“I think I’ve always been passionate about that. I never forgot why I started when I was young. It was to play a game. [Swinging] a tennis racquet with balls against someone, it’s the game, it’s the sport. Even if some days are not that easy, you always have to push yourself. You have to have great discipline.

I love the work, I love the process to get there too, so I’m lucky and happy that I enjoy what I have to do to be at my top level and also when I play matches, it doesn’t matter which court, which big stadium, small stadium. For me I always enjoy it and I always appreciate the sport.

Murray is also thrilled that Gasquet is still mixing it with the best and even won a tour title in Auckland ahead of the Australian Open.

He feels that having a great passion for the sport goes a long way in keeping the old legs moving.

“Gasquet, I was really happy for him when he won the tournament in Auckland earlier this year,” he said.

“I think he maybe sometimes doesn’t get the respect he deserves.

“He’s been an incredible player for such a long time and just love seeing guys that maybe are not at their peak. But they’re still out there giving everything, competing because they love the sport.

“You know, I practiced with them last year at this tournament. I was chatting with Gasquet about it like ‘how long are you going to play’ and he was asking me.

“He was still saying he still loves playing and loves competing. That can take you a long way.

“He’s also an incredibly talented guy but you know, the love for the sport is still there clearly to be playing as well as he is at his age.”

Murray will face young compatriot Jack Draper in an all-British third round match at Indian Wells.

READ MORE: ‘Tactical genius’ Andy Murray gets new second-round opponent as pundit predicts he will thrive in Indian Wells

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