rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Sports » Del Potro backs Murray to take World No 1 spot this year
This article was first published 11 years ago

Del Potro backs Murray to take World No 1 spot this year

Last updated on: March 20, 2013 09:32 IST

Image: Andy Murray of Great Britain
Photographs: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Indian Wells runner-up Juan Martin del Potro believes Britain's Andy Murray can become world tennis No 1 this year.

The towering Argentine beat Murray in the quarter-finals last week on the California hard courts and is looking forward to locking horns with him on grass after confirming he will play at the Aegon Championships at London's Queen's Club two weeks before Wimbledon.

"Murray is a big champion, he already won a Grand Slam, he made the finals in Australia and he has everything he needs to be at the top in the future," Del Potro said in a statement.

"He will be fighting for the World No 1 place this year and he can take a big opportunity in the grass season."


Tags:

'I have a chance to win a Grand Slam on grass'

Image: Juan Martin Del Potro
Photographs: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

This year's Queen's Club field promises to be strong, with Wimbledon runner-up Murray joined by former US Open champion del Potro and Tomas Berdych at the event starting on June 10.

Del Potro, who has taken a while to get used to playing on the low-bouncing grasscourts, was a bronze medallist at the Olympics staged at Wimbledon last year, and believes he could challenge for the Wimbledon title.

"I have a fantastic memory from last year when I won the bronze medal at the Olympics," he said.

"It was a magnificent experience for me. I had never played at an Olympics before so it was a big moment for me and my country. To win on grass at Wimbledon as well made it an even bigger moment.

"I think that if I play my best tennis I have a chance to win a Grand Slam on grass, but it will be very difficult."

Tags:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.