Andy Murray happy to have domestic duties as he aims for second Wimbledon crown
Murray Mania will reach fever pitch at Centre Court on Sunday when thousands of tennis fans roar their support for the Scot as he fights it out for a second Wimbledon title.
Murray Mania will reach fever pitch at Centre Court on Sunday when thousands of tennis fans roar their support for the Scot as he fights it out for a second Wimbledon title.
Andy Murray faces Milos Raonic in the men's singles final and warned his Canadian opponent he would be “ruthless” in his quest for a third Grand Slam.
The 29-year-old revealed that during this Wimbledon fortnight, his first as a parent, the tennis has been a “distraction” and he just wants to get home to wife Kim and five-month-old daughter Sophia.
But when he walks out onto centre stage at the All England Club he will be entirely focused on the job in hand.
Murray will not have the hopes of a nation on his shoulders alone, though, as Britons play in three other finals.
“Super Sunday” could round off one of the most successful weekends in British tennis history if fellow Scot Gordon Reid adds the inaugural Wimbledon men's singles wheelchair title to the doubles he won on Saturday, Jordanne Whiley takes home the silverware in the ladies' wheelchair doubles and Heather Watson has glory in the mixed doubles.
Thousands of fans are expected to pour through the Wimbledon gates to watch the action, many of whom have queued for days to get a grounds pass or one of around 500 tickets available for Court One.
Among them is Graeme Durno, 54, who was left fighting for his life after being hit by a van a month ago but started queueing on Wednesday, the day after he was released from hospital.
While there is a bumper day of tennis in store the showpiece will be Murray, who by reaching his 11th grand slam final - his first against anyone other than Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic - eclipsed the British record previously held by Fred Perry.
Murray holds the upper hand against Raonic in head-to-head matches but said he has been speaking with coach Ivan Lendl about how to retain the “ruthless” edge vital to make the most of opportunities he expects to be few and far between.
But Murray said his new family life is a welcome respite from the intensity of the court.
He told the BBC: “For the first time ever, tennis is probably more of a distraction from my home life than the other way around.
“Beforehand, in the build-up to a slam final, I'd always just be thinking about that match. I don't feel like that just now - I'm just looking forward to the next time I see Sophia and Kim.
“Sophia's already watched a bit of tennis with Kim at home over these last couple of weeks and maybe when she's older she'll want to come and see me play.
“I would like that; it would be nice for me in a selfish way. I'm sure she won't be that interested but it gives me a little bit of extra motivation to keep going when I get a bit older.''
While tickets for Sunday's Centre Court finale were available before the tournament for £175, debenture holders have been cashing in, with tickets to Murray's final available online for up to £18,000 a pair online on Saturday evening.
Fans fancying a flutter on a Murray win have seen bookmakers offer the shortest odds for any major final he has been in.
Ladbrokes has him as the 1/4 favourite, with 25-year-old Raonic - appearing in his first grand slam final - the outsider at 3/1.
London schoolboy Yousef Maza, 11, who is helped by Mitcham-based charity Jigsaw4u after losing his mother early in life, will toss the coin ahead of the match.
Visitors to SW19 should perhaps bring an umbrella as a cloudy morning is expected to turn showery.
Rain could continue early into the afternoon before becoming clearer, with temperatures reaching 21C.