Murray: The Draw Hasn’t Opened up for Me

By Chris Oddo

Photo Credit: Julian Finney/ Getty

(July 1, 2012)--Andy Murray isn’t getting all worked up about the fact that Rafael Nadal is out of his half of the draw.

He’s leaving that to the rest of Great Britain apparently.

Many pundits and proud Brits alike feel that Murray has seen his chances to become the first British player to win The Championships since 1936 increase with Nadal’s departure, but the 25-year-old two-time Wimbledon semifinalist is still aware of the fact that many possible pitfalls still exist.

The world No. 4 shared his views on that topic in an interview with the BBC after his third-round victory over Marcos Baghdatis yesterday. Here’s what Murray had to say about the crater-sized hole that Rafa’s absence has left in his half of the draw:

“The thing is, as a player you’re always conscious of what’s going on around you in the draw but the draw didn’t open up for me. The draw opened up for Philipp Kohlshcreiber and the guys that are in that part of the draw. If I get to the semifinals then, yes, that will help.

“But today (Saturday's 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 victory over Baghdatis) was a very close match, I’ve got a tough match against Cilic, I’ve still got Del Potro and Ferrer -- two top ten players, one of them a Grand Slam champion and Ferrer I lost to a few weeks ago -- so it’s silly for me to think ‘oh, Nadal’s out so I’m guaranteed a place in the final.’

“It’s definitely not the case, I’ve got to keep my head focused on the next match.”