Andy Murray and Jamie Murray play Wimbledon doubles today (Picture: Getty)
Andy Murray has exclusively revealed what his mindset is like heading into today’s Wimbledon doubles match against John Peers and Rinky Hijikata.
Murray dramatically pulled out of Wimbledon singles on Tuesday but is competing in both the men’s doubles and mixed doubles before retirement later this summer, which is likely to come after the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.
The 37-year-old, a two-time Wimbledon winner in men’s singles, who has teamed up with fellow Brit Emma Raducanu in the mixed doubles, is playing in the men’s doubles first round with his brother Jamie Murray on Centre Court today.
There has been widespread reporting over Murray’s physical health and fitness after he required surgery on his back injury – which originally looked like it would rule him out of the Championships altogether – but little is known about how he is feeling mentally ahead of what could be one of his last-ever matches in SW19.
Metro.co.uk decided to ask Murray about his mindset and mental health going into his first match at Wimbledon 2024 and he said: ‘My mental health is actually pretty good at the moment.
‘I am really focused on the next week so that’s taking up most of my headspace. It was obviously very hard when I found out I was going to have to have an operation, but there was really no alternative.
‘So I shifted pretty quickly into thinking about recovery. It helps that I’m at home at the moment too – having my kids around definitely puts everything else into perspective.’
Andy Murray is feeling ‘pretty good’ heading into Wimbledon doubles (Picture: Getty)
Meanwhile, Murray has also provided insight into how he is preparing for his first doubles match.
‘Training for doubles is slightly different to the singles,’ he added. ‘We work a lot on my reflexes so I do exercises like ball snatches with multiple balls moving at the same time.
‘It’s quite intense but it really focuses your hand eye coordination. We spend a lot of time working on net play too and communication as that’s key in doubles.
‘Playing with Jamie, we know each other so well, that definitely helps. And Emma and I will be spending some time on court practising together as well so we can work as a team when we get to our first match.
‘People think that the doubles puts less strain on your body, but that’s not really the case.
‘My warm ups and time with the physio are just as important now as in singles. I’ve also been taking Vital Proteins collagen for a while, and that has helped with my recovery. For me, it’s all about consistency – I add scoop of collagen to my morning coffee and then focus on training.’
Source:: Metro
