LONDON // Andy Murray has warned world No 1 Novak Djokovic his best is yet to come as the Scot aims to follow his second Wimbledon crown with a sustained run of success.
Murray clinched his third grand slam title as he brushed aside Canada's Milos Raonic with an imperious 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 victory in Sunday's final.
The 29-year-old player is the first Briton to secure multiple All England Club titles since Fred Perry in the 1930s and only the 12th man to win Wimbledon more than once.
Having suffered painful defeats in eight of his previous 10 grand slam finals, the world No 2 has set his sights on using Wimbledon as a springboard for even more success in the coming years.
“I still feel like my best tennis is ahead of me, that I have an opportunity to win more,” Murray said. “The last three months have been some of the best I’ve played in my career in terms of consistency.
“Everyone’s time comes at different stages. Some come in their early 20s, some mid 20s. Hopefully mine is still to come.”
Murray has reached all three grand slam finals in 2016, losing the previous two in Australia and France to Djokovic.
But Djokovic showed rare signs of vulnerability in his shock Wimbledon third round loss against Sam Querrey and Murray believes he has an opportunity to establish himself as the sport’s pre-eminent force at a time when Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have struggled with injuries and inconsistent form.
“I obviously would have loved to have won more. Like I said earlier, the guys that I’ve been playing against are the best three players of all time potentially,” Murray said. “I put myself in a position all of the time in these events to win them. I’ve learnt not to be afraid of failing.
“If I want to add to three slams, I’m going to have to find ways to win against them.”
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As well as chasing down Djokovic, Murray’s says his main motivation to keep winning is to make his family proud following the birth of his daughter Sophia earlier this year.
“It changes your life. Obviously having a child, it gives you a different perspective. It also has given me a little bit of extra motivation to work hard, train hard, and do all of the right things to give myself a chance to win these events,” he said.
“A lot of people have said when Roger had kids, he started playing some of his best tennis. Novak, the same thing. I feel more motivated than ever just now.”
Since becoming the first British man to win Wimbledon for 77 years in 2013, Murray had been stuck in a rut in the majors, losing three finals and three semi-finals.
Coping with back surgery late in 2013 and then the end of his partnership with coach Ivan Lendl left Murray had a low ebb and he admitted it was a sweet moment to get back to the top at Wimbledon.
“I’m just really happy I managed to do it again after a lot of tough losses in the latter stages of the slams over the last couple of years,” Murray said.
“To do it twice here, an event where there is a lot of pressure on me to perform well, I’m very proud.
“From where I was kind of at the end of that year after I had the surgery, yeah, it’s been quite a long, long road back.”
Crucially, Lendl returned to Murray’s side last month and the Scot, who has won all 12 of his matches since then, paid tribute to the contribution of the man who also oversaw his previous major victories.
“I do think he’s a leader. I trust in what he says, mainly because of the results we had the last time we worked together. I’ve played my best tennis under him,” Murray said.
ANDY MURRAY FACTBOX
World ranking 2
Age 29 (15/05/1987)
Career titles 38
Career grand slam titles 3 (Wimbledon: 2013, 2016; US Open: 2012)
Career prize money US$49,240,897 (Dh180,842,120)
ANDY MURRAY FACTBOX CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
– Became first Briton since Greg Rusedski, in 1997, to reach major final in 2008 US Open summit clash, losing to Roger Federer.
– In 2010, made Australian Open final, losing to Federer.
– In 2011, made Australian Open final, losing to Djokovic.
– In 2012, hired Ivan Lendl as coach. Became first British man to reach Wimbledon final since Bunny Austin in 1938. Lost to Federer.
– Beat Federer to win gold medal at London Olympics.
– Beat Djokovic in five-set US Open final to win first major title, making him first Briton to win major since Fred Perry in 1936.
– In 2013, made Australian Open final, losing to Djokovic.
– Pulled out of French Open with back injury.
– Beat Djokovic in Wimbledon final to become the first Briton to win title since Perry in 1936.
– In 2014, hired Amelie Mauresmo as coach after Lendl stood down in March.
– In 2015, made Australian Open final, losing to Djokovic.
– Helped clinch first Davis Cup title for Britain since 1936 with singles victory against Belgium’s David Goffin.
– In 2016, made Australian Open final, losing to Djokovic.
– Became first Briton since Bunny Austin in 1937 to reach French Open final, losing to Djokovic.
– Won third grand slam title, and second at Wimbledon, by beating Milos Raonic in final.
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