“I won my fair few” – Murray proud of record against Big Three as he gears up for success at Wimbledon

Murray decided to skip the end of the clay-court season in order to prioritise preparation for Wimbledon. So far, the plan appears to be working

Andy Murray wins at Nottingham Open 2023 AI/Reuters/Panoramic

Jamie Malachy

June 14, 2023

As Novak Djokovic won a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam men’s singles title in Paris on Sunday, just over three hundred miles away, a former rival of his was lifting a title of his own.

Andy Murray had just won the Surbiton Trophy, a low-key event on the Challenger circuit, that took place during the second week of Roland-Garros.

The former world No. 1 opted to end his clay-court season early and begin playing matches on grass in a bid to be in peak condition for Wimbledon, the major at which he has enjoyed the most success. So far, that plan is paying dividends.

Murray hoping for Roland-Garros hangover from Djokovic

Speaking after that win in Surbiton, the Scot acknowledged the gravity of his old rival’s achievement, while also adding jokingly that he hopes Djokovic will lose some of his iron focus after such a monumental win.

“I am happy for him, he deserves it. When he beat me in the final of the (2016) French Open he lost motivation so maybe he can take his eye off the ball for the next few weeks heading into Wimbledon.

“But congratulations to him – it’s an incredible achievement.”

Prior to Murray’s career-threatening major hip surgery, the double Wimbledon champion was a constant thorn in Djokovic’s side. Despite the Serb leading their head-to-head 25-11, Murray pushed him in most of those defeats and only trails the finals they played 11-8.

Of their only two meetings on the grass courts of Wimbledon, Murray won both matches without dropping a set – in the 2013 Wimbledon final, and at the 2012 London Olympics.

Murray proud of Big Three record as Wimbledon comes into focus

These go alongside an impressive array of high-stakes wins against both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, as Murray found himself competing in the single greatest era of men’s tennis there has ever been.

Despite never being able to emulate the giddying heights of his peers’ accomplishments, Murray sees his considerable achievements in the sport as even more significant because of the era he was playing in.

“Sometimes I watch them playing matches and I’m like ‘wow, I can’t believe I used to win and compete against them in the biggest matches in the biggest tournaments’.

“In 30 years’ time people who maybe don’t follow tennis that much will look back and say to me, ‘you won only three Grand Slams’. But each major that these guys win makes the accomplishments that I’ve had against them, and tournaments that I’ve won against them, greater.

“I certainly didn’t win all my matches against them but I won my fair few. I’m proud of what I achieved in what, without question, is the best era of men’s tennis by miles.”

Murray looking sharp on the grass

While admittedly being against far lower opposition than he will need to overcome in order to reach the latter stages of Wimbledon, Murray has looked in great shape while putting together a six-match winning streak on his favoured surface.

The aim is two-fold. Firstly, to be in the best grass-court form possible heading into the hallowed turf of SW19. Secondly, to try and gain a seeding for Wimbledon if possible.

So far, he is on track to achieve both.

As the tennis world basks in yet another record broken by Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray is slowly but surely planning his route through the Wimbledon fortnight.

With Nadal and Federer absent, perhaps it is worth keeping an eye on another former rival of the 23-time Grand Slam champion.

The Murray magic at Wimbledon is real. Djokovic may well come face-to-face with it once more if he is to take home yet another of tennis’ most coveted trophies.