Andy Murray has revealed he is comfortable with the fact he may never win Wimbledon as he begins another campaign.
The Scot was beaten by Roger Federer in last year’s final after taking the first set but bounced back to claim Olympic gold and a first grand slam at the US Open.
The 26-year-old gets his bid under way as one of the favourites, after winning the AEGON Championship title at Queen’s last weekend.
But he knows he is up against some stiff competition and admits he has come to terms with the reality he may never win his home slam.
“It’s still an incredibly difficult tournament to win,” Murray said.
“The players that are around right now are so good and so consistent that it’s going to be a tough tournament for me to win and I’ve thought about finishing my career and not winning Wimbledon and I’m comfortable with that.
“I can’t guarantee I’m going to win Wimbledon. I’m doing all I can to give myself the best possible chance.
“I work as hard as I can and as long as I give 110% on the court that’s the best that I can do.”
“When I’ve started to accept those sort of things I’ve started to play better tennis,” said Murray.
“After the Wimbledon final last year I accepted that there is a chance I may finish my career without a grand slam even though it’s something I was desperate to do.
“And I had become comfortable with those thoughts. I was starting to put way too much pressure on myself in the big matches and the important moments in those matches. Once I became comfortable with those sort of thoughts I was able to just go out there and play.”
Should Murray reach the final again this year he is likely to be met by Novak Djokovic. The world No 1 believes Murray will be better prepared to win the title this year.
“Mentally he is a different player. He has always been, in the last five years, a great, very skilful player and was winning big tournaments but hasn’t won a major. So now he has won a major I think he believes in himself much more,” he said.