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Andy Murray admitted that his tennis is “diabolical nowadays” as he officially opened the centre court at Queen’s Club that now bears his name.
The two-time Wimbledon champion was given a ball-girl guard of honour before hitting a couple of points with tournament director Laura Robson and two local schoolchildren.
However, as the crowd cheered him on, Murray admitted that his tennis game had gone to pot since retiring after the Paris Olympics last year.
“This is great,” he said. “I obviously miss being out here. This is the first time not being involved in a grass-court season for a while. But I’ve got a new life now and am enjoying being away from the sport a little bit.
“My tennis is diabolical nowadays, so apologies for what you’re about to witness, but I’ll give it a go,” he added.
Murray, who won five ATP singles tournaments at Queen’s in west London, also thanked the club for renaming the Centre Court the Andy Murray Arena. “This tournament, and this court has had many special moments for me as a player,” he said. “This tournament was where I won my first match of the ATP Tour and it was my most successful event.
“I always love coming back here at the start of the British summer. I’m very proud of the results I have here and I’m very grateful and thankful for whoever decided to name the stadium after me.”
Murray now spends much of his time working on his golf game, where he has a handicap in the low single figures, but said he was unable to maintain his nerve at his club championships.
“I was playing the club championships yesterday at my local club,” he said. “I was tied second, going into the final day, but unfortunately I didn’t get it done. But I’ll come back and try again.”
Murray was speaking minutes before the first women’s tournament at Queen’s Club since 1973 got under way.
“I think it’s brilliant,” he said. “I just met the last winner here, Olga Morozova, who actually coached me when I was 12, 13 years old. She was the last winner here 52 years ago, which is incredible.
“This court has had many great matches on it and I think it’s a great chance for the women to showcase themselves out here.”
