Tennis

Murray confirms Queen's Club defence

ESPN staff

January 6, 2014

Andy Murray was knocked out of the recent Qatar Open by Florian Mayer © Getty Images

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Andy Murray has confirmed he will target a fourth Queen's Club title at the AEGON Championships in June, as part of his preparations for the defence of his Wimbledon title.

Murray won his third Queen's title last year, defeating Marin Cilic in the final before going on to become the first British man since Fred Perry to claim the men's singles title at SW19.

Having missed the close of the 2013 season following his decision to undergo shoulder surgery, Murray has made a low key return ahead of the upcoming Australian Open.

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However, the British No. 1 is keen to join a select group of players - including John McEnroe, Boris Becker, Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Roddick - on four Queen's titles ahead of his Wimbledon defence.

"To win the title for the third time last year and then to go on to win Wimbledon was really special, and it highlights the importance of Queen's," Murray said.

"The grass courts there are as good as any in the world and it's a great event. It's also a tournament with a lot of history, both personally for me and for the game as a whole.

"It's where I won my first professional match and my first title in Britain and, when you look at the names on the trophy, including my coach Ivan Lendl, it shows how big a tournament it is to win. I'd love to do it again."

Murray was recently knocked out of the Qatar Open at the last 16 stage by Florian Mayer.

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ESPN staff