Andy Murray ‘highly motivated’ and ready to ‘do some damage’ at Wimbledon this year, says Barbara Schett

Andy Murray has been backed to “do some damage” as he gears up for his first round match at this year’s Wimbledon.

The two-time former champion at SW19 will face fellow Brit Ryan Peniston on Centre Court and Eursport tennis expert Barbara Schett believes Murray will be “highly motivated” to perform in front of his family as well as expectant fans.

“What an occasion it is,” said Schett. “Not only for Andy Murray to be back on centre, but also for us to watch him once again.”

She added: “I’m sure the fans are going to be absolutely beside themselves being able to watch him play once again, he’s highly motivated and I think he’s very ready to do some damage.

“Of course, those moments are very special because, you know, his kids are old enough to watch their dad play out there and I think he wants to be a role model as every father wants to be for the kids.

“And it’s very special that his wife is there, his kids are there, the family, the mom is there, the dad is there, the brother. So these are moments why he’s still playing tennis. He wants to be on the big stage on the big courts here in Wimbledon.

“He has so much success and then, why wouldn’t you want to do it in front of your family? This is a special time for the Murray family.”

This year marks 10 years since Murray scaled his players’ box in celebration having beaten Novak Djokovic in straight sets to win his first Wimbledon title.

The victory in front of a jubilant Centre Court crowd marked the first time a British man had won the Grand Slam since 1936.

Murray went on to repeat the feat following his victory over Milos Raonic in 2016, but a hip injury almost forced him into retirement in 2019.

Successful surgery saw him return to action and while he has yet to his the heights of years gone by, the 36-year-old comes into the tournament emboldened by recent challenger event wins in Surbiton and Nottingham.

Mats Wilander believes Murray has every reason to be confident on his latest Wimbledon return.

“Well, it’s unbelievably special obviously for anyone,” he said. “Being part of it and watching, for the fans and for us in the media, but for Andy himself, I think this is why he keeps playing tennis and one of the main reasons to be able to go back to Wimbledon.

“Not just to play, but actually feel like ‘this is where I still have a chance to do really well in a slam, and I would say where I actually have a chance to win another grand slam.’

“He’s won here a couple of times. This is where he has his most success, out of the Grand Slam tournaments.

“He’s a great grass court player. He’s involving the fans these days more than he had in the past, and of course, they know and love him more now most probably than when he was winning because he’s made such an amazing comeback with that hip surgery.”

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