Andy Murray is refusing to start dreaming about another grand slam final despite avoiding a dreaded quarter-final clash against Rafael Nadal.
All eyes were on Nadal’s name at the Wimbledon draw on Friday morning because his surprisingly low fifth seeding meant he could have been drawn against any of the big three Murray, Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals.
Defending champion Federer drew the short straw, but Murray did not escape scot free.
The second seed will face the winner of the probable match-up between Nadal and Federer in the last four, and he will have to overcome the literally giant obstacle of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarters.
But the draw has been quite favourable for Murray. He should have no trouble beating German Benjamin Becker in the first round and the list of opponents that lie in wait Londoner James Ward, Tommy Robredo of Spain and Serbia’s Janko Tipsarevic are all winnable.
Murray will begin Wimbledon a much more contented person having won the US Open and Olympics after making the Wimbledon final for the first time last year.
Yet, the 26-year-old acknowledges that it was only a few weeks ago that he was unable to play due to a back injury so he is determined not to get ahead of himself.
“For all the players, it is one of the biggest events, and it would be a big achievement, but it is just ridiculous to look that far in front,” Murray said.
“A few weeks ago, I was not hitting tennis balls, I will just get ready for the first match and get 100 per cent fit, and give it my best shot.”
If Murray’s recent form is anything to go by, he looks to have overcome the injury that ruled him out of the French Open.
Murray showed no trouble in winning at Queen’s and Hurlingham while he showed no sign of discomfort as he practised on the courts at SW19 yesterday.
While Murray’s joy was clear for all to see following his win in New York, the Scot is looking forward to trying to get to another grand slam final on home turf.
“Once you get out on to the court in front of home support, that always makes a difference to the way you play, it helps,” Murray added.
“There is a lot of pressure. You want to play in front of a home crowd, it makes a difference.”
The biggest winner from the men’s singles draw was Djokovic.
With Nadal, Murray and Federer in the opposite side of the draw, the favourite’s only real challenge before the final will come versus fourth seed David Ferrer, who he has never played on grass.
Ward will take on Murray in round two if he beats world No 142 Yen-Hsun Lu while fellow Briton Kyle Edmund has a tough task ahead of him in the shape of Poland’s Jerzy Janowicz, who is seeded 24th.
Britain’s women have also been handed tough draws.
Number one Laura Robson will play 10th seed Maria Kirilenko while wildcard Johanna Konta faces former US Open finalist Jelena Jankovic.
The other two home wildcards Tara Moore and Samantha Murray play Kaia Kanepi and Camila Giorgi.
British No 2 Heather Watson was pitted against America world number 53 Madison Keys while Scot Elena Baltacha, a winner at Nottingham last week, will fancy her chances of overcoming Italian Flavia Pennetta to make the second round.
Anne Keothavong has a tougher draw against world No 70 Garbine Muguruza of Spain.
Defending champion Serena Williams, meanwhile, was drawn against Luxembourg’s Mandy Minella.
The American star has been kept apart from third seed Maria Sharapova so the two are on course to meet in the final.
Second seed Victoria Azarenka faces 20-year-old Portuguese Maria Joao Koehler while last year’s finalist Agnieszka Radwanska plays qualifier Yvonne Meusburger.