Tennis: Murray hails Roger as best ever but gives Sampras edge on grass

Published on Tuesday 23 June 2009 10:16

ROGER FEDERER remains on track for a record-breaking 15th grand slam title after breezing through the first round at Wimbledon but the Swiss ace is not the best ever grasscourt player, according to Andy Murray.

World No.2 Federer made a confident start to his grasscourt season with a straight-sets win over Yen-Hsun Lu yesterday, but he has yet to convince Murray that he is a better player than Pete Sampras.

Murray, set to open his Wimbledon campaign today when third up on Centre Court against American Robert Kendrick, said: "Roger's record speaks for itself and, for me, he has to be the best all-round tennis player ever," Murray said.

"I think Pete Sampras is the best grass-court player there's ever been, though. You can't really argue with seven Wimbledon singles titles. Of course, Roger does have time to beat that."

Murray, who will carry the expectations of a nation into his Centre Court clash with Kendrick, has set his sights on overtaking Federer in the world rankings and does not believe he is far away.

"At the French Open, Federer was down by two sets and four-three, advantage down against (Tommy) Haas and, if he had lost that match, I would have gone to world number two," said the 22-year-old Scot.

"So it is not like I am a long way behind them. If I can get over the first hurdle of winning the grand slam... that is the only difference in the rankings between me, Roger and Rafa (Nadal).

"In the other tournaments, I have been competing with them. In the slams, they have been more consistent and won more. That is where I need to improve my results. If I can do that, then there is no reason why I cannot be world number one – but it is a lot easier said than done.

"It is a very difficult thing to do to win a grand slam."