‘I’m sure Andy Murray has been inspired by Novak Djokovic,’ says John McEnroe

Ewan West 01 Jul 2023 2:04 PM

Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray training

Tennis legend John McEnroe believes Andy Murray has been inspired by Novak Djokovic and what the Serbian has continued to achieve into his mid-thirties.

The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion also revealed he is “amazed” former world No 1 Murray is still competing after his injury troubles.

The Brit underwent hip resurfacing surgery in 2019 after already having had a procedure on his hip in 2018. The 36-year-old, who is currently ranked 39th in the world, reached his highest position since the surgery at No 38 last week.

Murray won back-to-back grass-court Challenger titles in Surbiton and Nottingham last month, losing just one set in 10 matches.

The three-time Grand Slam champion was then routinely beaten 6-3, 6-1 by eventual runner-up Alex De Minaur in the first round of the Queen’s Club Championships last week.

McEnroe suggested the two-time Wimbledon winner’s grass-court experience means he is still a contender at the All England Club.

“I put him in the top dozen players that understand what it takes to compete and do well on grass,” said the American in an interview with The Guardian.

“So from that alone, if he gets a couple breaks here and there and gets going, who knows what could happen? Winning it, that’s a big ask, but you never know.”

The 64-year-old declared he feels the success of Djokovic, who is the same age as Murray at 36, will have influenced the Brit’s drive to keep playing.

“I’m sure he’s been inspired by Novak [Djokovic] because they are the same age and look at this guy who looks like he’s 25. So, they do crazy things now with the medical people – I didn’t know how he (Murray) is even playing in the first place.

World No 2 Djokovic is a heavy favourite to win Wimbledon, where he is the four-time defending champion and undefeated in completed matches since 2016.

The Serbian is a seven-time winner of the event and is looking to equal Roger Federer’s record of eight men’s singles titles. He will play world No 67 Pedro Cachin in the opening round on Monday.

Murray will face fellow Brit Ryan Peniston, the world No 267, in his first match at Wimbledon on Monday. He could then face either world No 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas or 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem in the second round.

Murray won both his Wimbledon titles with straight-set final victories – against Djokovic in 2013 and Milos Raonic in 2016.