Monkey off Murray's back

Andy Murray of Britain reacts during a practice session at the Australian Open tournament in Melbourne on Saturday. Tim Wimborne / Reuters

Brit finally feels at peace after making Grand Slam breakthrough, writes Agence France-Presse.

Andy Murray said on Saturday that winning the US Open has taken a massive Grand Slam monkey off his back and allowed him to relax more than ever coming into the opening major of the year in Melbourne.

The Scot, 25, said the breakthrough at Flushing Meadows in 2012 eased the pressure and set him up perfectly to build on the best year of his career.

"Not just Grand Slams. You know, I kind of maybe always felt like I was having to prove something every time I went on the court because I hadn't won a Slam," he said ahead of Monday's Australian Open.

"You know, even when you win a Masters Series, people still asked me about the Slams. So it's nice just to kind of not have to worry about that anymore.

"I think it will help me throughout the rest of the year on the tour because I just won't be worrying and thinking about the Slams all the time, I can focus on all of the events that I'm entered in."

Murray started his season in perfect style by winning the Brisbane International against Grigor Dimitrov and enters the Australian Open determined to better the two runner-up spots he earned in 2010 and 2011.

The Olympic champion starts the tournament as one of the favorites, alongside holder Novak Djokovic, with their task made easier by Rafael Nadal's withdrawal through illness.

"I'm very revved up," Murray said ahead of his opening-round clash with Dutchman Robin Haase. "I feel more relaxed than I have done the week before a Slam.

"Obviously last year was by far my best year on the court. I had my first Wimbledon final, the Olympics was obviously a great experience, then my first Grand Slam after that.

"I finished with my highest ranking, so there were a lot of firsts for me last year, and that's pretty important."

Working against him in Melbourne is that no first time Grand Slam winner, in the Open era, has gone on to win their next major tournament, but Murray said he won't let that stand in his way.

"I have no idea how I'm going to play here. I have no idea how I'm going to feel when I go on the court," he said.

"I said I feel more relaxed, but I don't know, the day when I play my first match, I could be unbelievably nervous. I don't know what effect it will have on me until I'm put in that situation.

"But I also know how hard these events are to win. If I don't win the Australian Open, I don't think it will be down to having won the US Open.

"It's down to the level of competition and how tough it is to win these events rather than what happened, you know, four or five months ago."

(China Daily 01/14/2013 page24)