Andy Murray escaped the stress of his “bizarre” start to the French Open by spending the day with his wife and new daughter – and his physio.
While his title rivals Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal both reached the third round on Thursday without dropping a set, the world No.2 has already spent over seven stressful hours on court against two players ranked outside the top 100.
“You could say I have had three interesting and bizarre days,” he said.
The Scot admitted the attention surrounding his split with coach Amelie Mauresmo had been a “distraction” at start of his bid to win the title here for the first time.
But after needing to play on three consecutive days, the new father sought to clear his head yesterday by taking time out with wife Kim and new baby Sophia.
The world No.2, who faces the big threat of Ivo Karlovic on Friday, said: “I’ve really enjoyed having family around. It was a shame the last match was so long as it means I don’t get to see her (Sophia) much.
“I only see her in the morning before we come in here. She was in bed by the time I got back. Spending a bit of time with the family is always nice.”
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Murray has been helped with his physical recovery by his physio Mark Bender, known as the ‘back whisperer’. “The most important thing now is to rest and recover,” he said. “This is why I travel with a physio so he can help as much in these situations.”
Aljaz Bedene joined the five-set club when he overcame Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta 7-6, 6-3, 4-6, 5-7, 6-2 to reach the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time. His reward is to face world No 1 Novak Djokovic on Saturday.
Two British men are through to the third round here for the first time since Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski in 1999.
SOURCE: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/tennis/andy-murray-enjoys-rest-day-8060255
SOURCE: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/tennis/andy-murray-enjoys-rest-day-8060255
