Wimbledon champion Andy Murray must be mentally strong and get used to being "the hunted" as he tries to defend his US Open title, says tennis legend John McEnroe. The American player, a four-time winner at Flushing Meadows, believes Murray will have to adjust to a different kind of pressure as reigning champion when the tournament begins next Monday.
"On the one hand he's done it, so that's amazing," said McEnroe. "On the other hand, you're the hunted more than you were in the past." Murray has reached the final of the last four major tournaments he has played but has experienced a dip in form after winning Wimbledon as he didn't manage to make it past the quarter finals in the two events he has played since. The latest results made Murray drop to third in the world rankings behind Rafael Nadal.
McEnroe, now aged 54, managed to follow Wimbledon victories with triumphs at the US Open twice during his career, in 1981 and 1984, and both times he finished the year as the world number one. Murray has a chance to do the same this year. "This is the first shot where Murray's got a legitimate chance to finish number one and be number one for the year if he can get two majors," said McEnroe. "So that's a different type of approach and people are going to be gunning for him even more. I think he's found that a little bit since playing Wimbledon."
The US Open, the last Grand Slam tournament of the year, begins next Monday at Flushing Meadows. Here are the outright odds at Bet365 for the top five favourites:
Novak Djokovic - 7/4
Andy Murray - 9/4
Rafael Nadal - 5/2
Juan Martin Del Potro - 9/1
Roger Federer - 11/1
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