Murray aims to be fighting fit for title defence

By AFP, London
30 June 2017, 14:43 PM
UPDATED 30 June 2017, 20:46 PM
Defending Wimbledon champion Andy Murray hopes to be fighting fit for his first round match after he negotiated a 90-minute practice session at the All England Club.

Defending Wimbledon champion Andy Murray said he hopes to be fighting fit for his first round match on Monday after he negotiated a 90-minute practice session at the All England Club on Friday.

The 30-year-old Scot -- who is top seed for the first time in his career at Wimbledon -- is battling a niggling hip problem which forced him to withdraw from playing a couple of exhibition matches this week.

However, while some in the media who watched the session said he was limping and grimacing, two-time Wimbledon champion Murray himself said nothing had changed regarding his participation at the Grand Slam.

"I hope so, that's the plan," said Murray who is drawn against Russian-born Kazakh lucky loser Alexander Bublik in the first round on Monday.

"I'm practising again later. I just had a light practice this morning to see how I feel and I'll practise again later."

Murray's coach Ivan Lendl also struck a defiant note as to both his preparation -- his only competitive outing saw him beaten by journeyman Australian Jordan Thompson in the first round of Queen's last week -- and his fitness to defend the title.

"Unlike before Paris, he is hitting the ball really well. Practice has gone well," said Lendl.