Andy Murray at ease with his US Open star billing

Published on 08/09/2012 00:50

IN THE city that never sleeps, Andy Murray is the most relaxed man in town.

Already a popular figure at the US Open, the Scot is now a star attraction as he heads into today’s semi-final against Tomas Berdych.

So far, his matches have attracted the good, the great, the famous and the merely posh. Kevin Spacey, Pippa Middleton, James Corden and Amir Khan have come to pay homage, and the list has taken Murray aback.

“I’ve never really mixed, I would say, with celebrities,” Murray said. “But it’s nice to meet people that you watch in films, or athletes. I enjoy meeting athletes because I have a lot to talk to them about. I like asking questions about different sports and their training and what they do.

“Normally towards the end of the tournament, especially in the night matches, you get famous people coming. I just think, over the last few years, tennis has become pretty attractive to celebrities. It’s become a big sport, it gets a lot of attention now, so that obviously brings various famous people.”

Murray will be the talk of New York if he can beat Berdych today and go on to win his first grand slam title. The world No 4, though, refuses to let himself think about anything other than today’s battle with the big man from the Czech Republic.

“Tomas has got a big game,” Murray said, “a lot of weapons, he can hurt you on both sides, also off his serve, he is very aggressive on return of serve, too. When he’s on, he’s had good success. But he can be up and down sometimes and that’s when you need to capitalise on those moments in the match when he’s not playing so well, maybe making a few mistakes, you need to make sure you’re there from the first point to the last.

“He also has a lot of experience, too. He’s played a Wimbledon final, he’s been deep in grand slams before, he’s beaten Roger Federer in slams before.”