Andy Murray has exposed the musical differences that set him apart from fellow British tennis players.
Wimbledon title hopeful Murray, who plays in the third round on Saturday against Andreas Seppi, has revealed James Ward’s obsession with Taylor Swift and exposed Jamie Baker’s guitar limitations, in a typically sharp-witted takedown.
Ward, who is also in the last 32 action as he takes on Vasek Pospisil, and Baker have joined Murray for warm-weather training sessions in Miami, which is where the weaknesses for Swift and simple strumming first caught his attention.
Murray, the 2013 Wimbledon champion, told the BBC: “When the guys come out to Miami they normally stay with me and sometimes I’ll pick them up from the airport. We work hard and have a good time, although you find out some interesting things about each other.
“I didn’t know ‘Wardy’ well two years ago, then when we started spending more time together, got to know each other better, it was just beneficial for both of us I think.
“He flew over with me last December for the training block in Miami and his musical taste was interesting. I don’t mind Taylor Swift but that was all he was playing.
“It’s probably not something he would let people know he listens to, but I am happy to reveal that for him.
“One year I went to pick up Jamie Baker and he came out of the airport with a guitar over his shoulder. I had no idea he was bringing it and when he showed up I thought: ‘What’s he done? Why has he done that’?
“It turned out he’d just started learning it and could play about two verses of Wonderwall. We spent the whole time just pleading with him to please shut up!”
Murray said there will have to be “ground rules” the next time he invites anyone to join him for the sessions.
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