ANDY MURRAY was last night backed to become the world's top player and the first Briton to land a grand slam title for more than 70 years.The prediction of megastardom for the 20-year-old Scot came from rival Richard Gasquet, last year's Nottingham Open champion.He said: "Sure, Andy can win. Maybe not this year or next year but in the future, yes."He has the potential to win one because he plays really well. He can do everything with the ball, he is one of the most clever players on the court."Gasquet also tips Murray to lead the world ranking one day. He said: "Andy can be number one. He plays unbelievably and is an incredible talent. He is a great guy."
Roger Federer warned Andy Murray yesterday that he could jeopardise his career by playing at Wimbledon if his injured wrist is not completely healed."When you have a young career like Andy's and you know that there is a risk that the wrist won't hold, definitely don't jeopardise your entire career over one tournament, even though it's Wimbledon," the four-time Wimbledon champion said. "The wrist is tricky because you have many little bones in there so it's so hard to tell if you are 100% or not. I've had it once, when I fell on my wrist. It was killing me on the forehand."
Murray has been suffering from a particularly bad case of "tennis elbow" sustained whilst "having a shower" after finishing a practice match against fellow Men's contender and World Wrestling Champion Amalie Maurismo."As long as he looks after himself, stays fit and healthy, and exercises more care with his wounded right hand when masturbating, there's absolutely no reason on Earth why Andy shouldn't win the Men's title in 2008", he went on.
Andy Murray is optimistic that his wrist injury will have improved enough for him to play at Wimbledon. The British number one and number eight seed will make a final decision on Monday but says his rehabilitation work has been going well. Murray said: "I hope I'll be competing. I've been playing some sets over the last few days and had no bad reaction. "Every day it gets better and if I have no bad reaction Sunday or Monday after practice then I hope to play."
Andy Murray is "planning to play" at Wimbledon despite still feeling pain from the wrist injury which has sidelined him for five weeks.A bad weather forecast for the opening day in SW19 could also buy the world number eight some more time if necessary, and Murray is confident it will not be a gamble if he decides to play."I've been playing some sets the last few days and haven't had any bad reactions on my wrist," said Murray, speaking as his brother Jamie Murray was lifting the doubles title at Nottingham."Every day it's been getting better. Unless I have any bad reactions on Sunday or on Monday after my practice I'm planning on playing.
Andy Murray has revealed he wants to play doubles at the Olympics in Beijing next year with his brother, Jamie.Speaking exclusively to The Herald, the world tennis No 8 said: "I'm playing in the Olympics next year for sure. Hopefully, I will play in the doubles as well."Murray, who at 20 is just more than a year younger than his brother, said Jamie needed to improve his rankings so the brothers could qualify.
