John McEnroe understands Andy Murray's pressure point

He can do it: John McEnroe believes Andy Murray can end the country's 73-year wait for a slam champion
13 April 2012

If nerves strike Andy Murray at Wimbledon next week amid the furore created by a British player harbouring genuine title hopes, he will find an unlikely ally in John McEnroe.

McEnroe is not associated with such vulnerability but SW19 does funny things to even the most resilient player when the odds suggest victory is nigh.

"I just didn't deal with the expectation very well," said the seven-time Grand Slam champion. "My first time was probably 1979, when I thought I could win it. The pressure got to me. I can't give Andy advice on that. I won three of the next four years, so I learned."

But McEnroe believes Murray who today was confirmed as third seed for Wimbledon, can end the country's 73-year wait for a men's slam champion.

He said: "There is a little chink in Roger Federer's armour and Andy would like his chances against Rafael Nadal on grass a lot more this year."

Nadal will be the men's top seed for Wimbledon, which begins at the All England Club on Monday.
In the women's singles, the only deviation from the rankings sees 2004 champion Maria Sharapova, ranked 59th in the world, made the 24th seed. Russia's Dinara Safina will be the top seed.

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