LONDON: Andy Murray admits he is already benefiting from the Wimbledon feel-good factor after putting an end to his recent dismal run.

Murray has been stuck in a rut since losing to Roger Federer in the Australian Open final in January and has failed to get past the quarter-finals in his last eight events.

The world number four even looked out of sorts when he attempted to defend his title at the pre-Wimbledon warm-up event at Queen`s Club two weeks ago.

His spluttering form prompted some pundits to suggest Murray had fallen out of love with the sport after the crushing disappointment of being swept aside by Federer in Australia.

As usual at Wimbledon, it falls to Murray to carry the weight of a nation`s expectations on his shoulders, but he insists he thrives on the burden because he already has so many good memories of the grass-court grand slam.
The genteel surroudings of the All England Club certainly seemed to have an invigorating effect on Murray as he dismissed Jan Hajek 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 in the first round on Tuesday.

"It obviously helps coming here. It`s a great place to play and I`ve had good results here the last few years," Murray said.

"When you play well in a place beforehand, you tend to play well there and it makes you feel more comfortable when you come back.

"Each year I have played better and I improved a lot from when I lost to Rafa Nadal in the 2008 semi-finals to last year where I felt I had a chance to win the tournament.

"This year I feel like I have a chance again, but I`ll need to play well."

Murray`s victory not only booked a second round clash with Finland`s Jarkko Nieminen, it is also likely to secure him an audience with Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.

He played on Court One against Hajek but, as the last remaining Briton in the tournament, Murray is sure to return to Centre Court when the Queen visits Wimbledon on Thursday for the first time since 1977.

The 23-year-old is determined not to be distracted if he does play in front of the monarch, although he admitted he maybe nervous if he gets to meet her.

"It was a little bit of a surprise not to play on Centre Court because I hadn`t played on any other court for the last few years but I`ll probably be back on Centre Court for the next round," Murray said.

"I hope the Queen being there doesn`t affect me in the match. I think it`s one of those things when you get out there, you`re aware of it, but then it is our job to be able to concentrate and not let things that are going on off the court distract you.

"I don`t know what I`ll say exactly if I meet her. I`ll probably be a little bit nervous, understandably. I guess I don`t want to mess up at all."

At least Murray will give the Queen some home interest after another shocking performance from the British players in the men`s and women`s draws.

He said: "It`s not great, is it? I said obviously I`d like to see more British players playing in the tournament and more British wins.

"A few of the girls had a chance to win but didn`t take quite them. It`s not ideal. Everybody working at the Lawn Tennis Assocation will be disappointed as well.

"I`m not around the British players that much but if you get a look at the rankings and the actual facts of where the players are and how they`re doing in the bigger tournaments the results haven`t been great."

BDST: 1144hrs, June 23, 2010
SA