SCOT ROCKS: Andy Murray, who won his second major at Wimbledon, enters a Slam as the defending champion for the first time at the U.S. Open. (Larry Marano)
Defending his first Grand Slam title this U.S. Open fortnight won’t be as pressurized as breaking a couple of British tennis curses.
Andy Murray has shown the fortitude of a knight twice in a year, winning the U.S. Open last September to become the first British men’s player to win a Grand Slam tournament since 1936. In July, Murray’s encore was becoming the first Brit to win Wimbledon since Fred Perry 77 years ago. That triumph sparked speculation Murray, who is Scottish, will receive knighthood and the title “Sir.’’
“It’s a new experience for me,” Murray said of defending a Slam crown. “But I think there is less pressure. There was a lot of pressure on me for a lot of years to win a Grand Slam, and then same sort of thing at Wimbledon. I wouldn’t imagine it would be the same here.”
The Open kicks off today in Flushing, but the third-seeded Murray won’t get started until Wednesday against Michael Llodra. Rafael Nadal headlines the day session at Arthur Ashe Stadium today facing struggling American prospect Ryan Harrison and No. 7 seed Roger Federer caps the night card, facing Grega Zemlja. Nadal and Federer are on a collision course for the quarterfinals, though the Swiss Maestro has become fourth wheel among the men’s game’s Big 4. Retired great Fred Stolle said he rated Federer in the second tier with David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych and Juan Martin del Potro.
On the other side of the draw, Murray and No. 1 seed Novak Djokovic seem destined for a semifinal showdown. Murray beat Djokovic in the Open and Wimbledon finals. The Serb has made three straight Open finals and still has an 11-8 lifetime record against Murray.
The year’s first three Slams have gone to three different players: Djokovic at the Australian, Nadal at the French and Murray’s historic Wimbledon. In all, 33 of the past 34 majors have been won by one of the Big 4.
However, Murray has played since Wimbledon as if he has a British-ale hangover.
“It’s been hard for Murray to get psyched up since Wimbledon,’’ ESPN’s Chris Evert said. “He really hasn’t done anything since Wimbledon.’’
Murray said: “I’ve enjoyed the tennis the last few weeks, but now it’s time for business.”
Murray’s breakthrough 12 months began at the London Olympics last August, when he crushed Federer for the gold medal on Wimbledon’s Centre Court. It came a month after he lost there to Federer in an emotional four-set final. Murray broke down in tears after the match while addressing the All-England Club throng.
“It was the turning point of my career,’’ Murray said of the defeat.
So was adding seven-time Grand Slam champion Ivan Lendl as his coach 18 months ago, as the sport became more and more about baseline grinding — Lendl’s specialty.
“He’s for sure a difference-maker,’’ said a source close to the Murray camp. “Andy was super-talented obviously, but Ivan brought that experience, belief to him and professionalism.”
The low-key Murray is keeping the same routine this year, staying in the same quiet hotel off of Columbus Circle, where he still can go unrecognized on strolls through Central Park and at lunch at Whole Foods.
Murray admits he should have savored his Open title more last September, but flew out the next day.
“I was so relieved that night that maybe I didn’t have the chance to enjoy it as much as Wimbledon or the Olympics,’’ Murray said. “There was so much relief last year that I wasn’t necessarily enjoying it as much as I should have.”
There isn’t a clear favorite among Murray, Djokovic and the resurgent Nadal, who has lit up the hardcourts this summer. The only certainty is rain won’t play as much of a role after it pushed the men’s final to Monday five straight years. This year, the final is scheduled for Monday, and a roof is coming to Ashe Stadium in 2016.
The only question is whether Murray has hit his ceiling.