Former World No. 1 Brit Andy Murray is still “apprehensive” about travelling to New York during the pandemic. He has switched on “mentally” to playing in the US Open which is scheduled at the end of August.
Murray is participating in the Battle Of The Brits team tournament. Andy’s brother, Jamie, has organised it at the National Tennis Centre at Roehampton.
On the eve of the tournament, Murray indicated his concentrations are on playing at the US Open. “Four or five weeks ago, we were pretty sceptical”
“My training the past week and during the event this week is to try to get in shape for the US Open. If it wasn’t happening, my schedule would be different. Mentally, I’m planning for it to go ahead, but I’ll be apprehensive.”
“I was thinking about travelling somewhere beforehand to get in some hot-weather training. But then you’re increasing your risk of catching the virus, which means you can’t train or travel for a couple of weeks, which could then put playing a grand slam in doubt. Hopefully it can go ahead but, if not, I’m also OK with that. It’s not like I’m saying it must go ahead. We need to try to get back to competing when it’s safe to do so.”
Murray on resumption of Football and travel issue
He mentioned that with other sports like football having resumed play successfully, it’s possible for the tennis season to resume without any problems. He also spoke about his concerns with the travel.
“Some sports have gone back, and seem to have done pretty well – football, for example. The issue for us is the travel. Hopefully we’re getting tested before we arrive, and once we get there. The players, the staff and everyone, we’re in this secure bubble. Everything will be fine – that is my hope.”
Murray had planned to warm up in the Citi Open in Washington, but travel restrictions – which since have been eased – forced cancellation of the tournament.
Might play Cincinnati Masters
“I might play qualifying in the Cincinnati Masters [in New York the week before the US], or I could take a wildcard. The last time I played the week before a slam I would have been 19. I’m not particularly keen on playing back-to-back. For a lot of the guys it’ll be five, six months [since they played], but for me it’s 10 months since I last competed properly.”
His compatriot, women’s tennis player Johanna Konta has also confirmed her participation in New York.
“We haven’t had any [WTA player council] meetings for a few weeks but everything is pointing in the direction that it is going to go ahead,” the British No 1 said. “Just basing my opinion on all the information that is there, I think it probably will.”
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