• Wimbledon

Murray 'mentally ready' to meet familiar foe

ESPN staff
July 6, 2013

Andy Murray believes he is better prepared psychologically as he prepares for his second appearance in a Wimbledon final.

Murray, last year's US Open champion, reached the final at the All England Club for the second successive year after defeating big-serving Jerzy Janowicz in four sets on Friday evening - setting up an enticing final with world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

The Scot believes he is well equipped mentally to deal with the challenge that now awaits him; ready to produce his best tennis after falling to Roger Federer in four sets 12 months ago.

"I think I'll probably be in a better place mentally," Murray said. "I would hope so just because I've been there before.

"I won a grand slam, I would hope I would be a little bit calmer."

Murray knows Djokovic well - having come through the junior ranks with a man born just a week after him, before meeting him in three grand slam finals already to date in the professional ranks.

The Scot acknowledges that the pair, who used to be quite close, have cooled their personal relationship since becoming arch-rivals at the very top of their sport.

"We [he and Djokovic] have a professional friendship now," he said. "When we were younger it was more friendly; whereas now, you know, I still message him sometimes.

"But I don't think it goes more than that. It's just hard because playing in big, big matches with a lot on the line, you can't be best of friends when that's happening."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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