Andy Murray hails Amelie Mauresmo’s support as Brit bids for more Wimbledon glory

Andy Murray is bidding for a second Wimbledon title this year
Coach Amelie Mauresmo is due to give birth to her first child in August
Murray opens his Wimbledon campaign on Tuesday

Published:
21:43 GMT, 27 June 2015

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Updated:
23:30 GMT, 27 June 2015

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Andy Murray will arrive at Wimbledon in perfect shape for a crack at a second title, and desperate for a stress-free ride to glory — for the sake of his coach.

Amelie Mauresmo, the former champion whom Murray credits with turning his game around this year, is expecting her first baby in August.

And, with Mauresmo’s health very much in mind, Murray is praying for a routine barrage of straight-sets wins, culminating in a chance to reclaim the coveted trophy which he so memorably held aloft after beating Novak Djokovic two years ago.

Andy Murray (left) is given balls by coach Amelie Mauresmo during his training session

Murray (left) speaks with coach Mauresmo as the British No 1 shapes up for Wimbledon

Murray hits on the All England Club courts ahead of his opening match at Wimbledon on Tuesday

To ensure the Frenchwoman does not have to suffer alone, Swede Jonas Bjorkman, recruited to Team Murray after Mauresmo revealed she was pregnant in April, will be by her side at the All England Club.

Murray, seeded three but clear second favourite behind defending champion Djokovic, said: ‘She went to see her doctor the Thursday after the French Open — her doctor gave her the all clear. But there’s no way I would have Amelie there on her own during Wimbledon because you never know what can happen. So it’s great she’ll be able to come over but obviously having Jonas there is essential.

‘I’m glad that they’ll both be there and hopefully Amelie will be feeling good.

‘The last 12 months that I’ve been with her, I feel like I’ve come through some difficult moments. She was one of the people that really stuck by me and supported me.’

Mauresmo (left) stands alongside assistant coach Jonas Bjorkman during Murray’s practice session

Former world No 1 Mauresmo is due to give birth to her first child in August

She will certainly be feeling fine if Murray can repeat his form of 2013 when he breezed through his first four rounds without dropping a set.

But then came one of those Wimbledon epics which delighted the masses out on Murray Mount but would have done nothing for the well-being of expectant mums; a pulsating roller-coaster of a five-set quarter-final against Fernando Verdasco where Murray had to come from two sets down to battle his way through.

Murray begins his title tilt against world No 58 Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan on Tuesday and the Scot, who has enjoyed a superb 2015 with five titles, says he is in better condition now than when he won the trophy.

‘Coming into Wimbledon then I had a number of tournaments at the beginning of the year where I hadn’t played well,’ said the 28-year-old two-time grand slam winner. ‘I feel like I’m serving a bit better. Physically I don’t have the problem with my back now and being pain-free has helped.’