ABOUT 18 months ago, Andy Murray had a dream. As he slept in his Indian Wells hotel room, he saw himself holding a grand slam trophy – he is not sure which one – and he liked it.
At the time he was ranked 11 in the world and was still one of the nearly-men of the tour: his talent was obvious, his fitness was improving month by month and he had notched up some impressive victories over many of the world's best players. But he
still had not discovered how to turn himself into a consistent winner – and especially not at the four major tournaments of the year.
"You know what dreams are like, they tend to be a bit strange," he says. "You can wake up and not quite understand what happened, but I definitely, definitely won a grand slam. I woke up few hours later and I was unbelievably disappointed. It was the first time I had dreamt about something like that."
These days, Murray does not need to dream about fame and success on his sport's most famous stages. Scotland's finest is also one of the world's finest and he is in the form of his life. Last month he pushed Novak Djokovic aside to claim the No3 spot in the rankings and, since then, has put 1,370 ranking points between himself and the Serb. After proving himself to be one of the best hard court players on the tour, he has shown himself this year to be a fast-improving clay court exponent, and, after winning the title at Queen's Club last weekend, he has proved that his game on grass has been honed with perfect timing for the coming two weeks at Wimbledon.
Murray knows well enough that he has a good chance of winning Wimbledon, but if he does not do it this year, he is not concerned. He knows he is ready, mentally and physically, to win a major title – and so do his rivals in the locker room. And at the age of 22, he has plenty of time to lift one of those famous trophies. If not this year in SW19 then maybe next year. Or at the US or Australian Opens – the possibilities are endless for this young man. That said, he is still eager to get his hands on a trophy that matters even if he does not dream about it any more.
"I hope that I can win a slam sooner rather than later," he explained, "because if I could do it now then there's more chance of me winning more. If you learn to do it younger then it's better for you later in your career.
"Honestly, I don't think about it that much. It's something I've always wanted to do – it's kind of in the back of your mind – but I don't wake up every day and think about winning slams. Tennis is a very, very important part of my life, but I try not to think about it the whole time."
It is clear, though, that Murray knows exactly where he stands in the pecking order. The two men above him in the rankings are two of the greatest players the sport has ever seen, but, even so, he has beaten Rafael Nadal twice on a hard court and he has beaten Roger Federer six times in eight meetings. With Nadal's withdrawal because of injury he has one less thing to worry about – but Murray is not scared of either player nor overawed in their presence. That is why he is not pinning all his hopes on creating one chance at one tournament to achieve his goal.
So, if the fates cut him a deal and he could win Wimbledon but would then have to retire, would he take it?
"Nah," he said after a moment's thought. "I don't think I'd take that. Winning Wimbledon is important to me, but, hopefully, I've got a long, long career ahead of me. But you never know. For me, that's the last thing I've set for myself: the goal is to win a grand slam. I have no idea – maybe if I was to win a grand slam, it might make me work ten times harder or maybe I'd be like 'that's all I ever wanted to do', and I'd lose the drive. I have no idea until it happens. But right now, no, I still hope that I have a chance of winning more than one grand slam."
His confidence is based on the evidence of the past 12 months. Since losing to Nadal in the Wimbledon quarter-finals last year, Murray has won seven titles and reached the US Open final. He has become the consistent winner he always hoped he would be and has been snapping at the heels of Federer and Nadal as they have chased each other around the world tour.
Now, when he looks back to Wimbledon 2008, he recognises the young man from Dunblane on Centre Court, but he knows he is not like him any more: "I feel like last year I could play to the level I play to now, but it's just the consistency. You can't really compare at all. Like last year I played some really, really good matches at the beginning of the year, but I just wasn't able to do it enough. Like now, my bad day now would beat my bad last year comfortably and that's the main difference; I'm much better now when I'm not playing my best than I was last year."
If the form book and the seedings are to be believed, Murray ought to find himself in the final in SW19. Once there, he will be a match away from history. With Federer in the other half of the draw he will, in all probability, have to beat the Swiss to win the title. It is a prospect that excites him.
Murray's record against Federer is surprising – not least to Federer. The only two times Federer has won have been in finals: in Murray's first tour final in Bangkok in 2005 when the Scot was still a raw 18-year-old and last year in the US Open when Murray was playing his first grand slam final. He has beaten the Swiss at least once every year since 2006 and it has not seemed to matter at what stage Murray was during his development as a player, he has still found a way to win. Given the chance to do it again on Centre Court, Murray thinks he would enjoy it.
"If I could pick (an opponent in the final] and I was for sure going to win," he mused, "beating Federer in the final would be the one. Just because of his record there. But also, you never know when you look back. I think Rafa might surpass what Roger has done. I think there's a chance that he could have won all four of the slams by the end of this year which, by the age of 23, is one of the best achievements ever. And so, I don't know. Probably right now I'd take Federer, but maybe at the end of Rafa's career, it would be tough to pick."
The Scot knows, too, that he has left his mark on Federer. For all that he has just established himself as the greatest player in history, winning his 14th grand slam title at the French Open and completing his personal career Grand Slam, he still hates playing Murray.
They met last year at the Masters Cup in a match that should have meant nothing to the Scot. Thanks to the round robin format of the early stages of the event, Murray was already through to the semi-finals while Federer had to win in order to stay in the competition. But for three hours Murray pushed and bullied Federer until finally he emerged victorious over the older man. Exhausted but victorious. "For me that was an important win because it showed that I'm not going to roll over against someone like that regardless of what type of match it is," Murray said. "And it had so many ups and downs; it was a really tight match. And I've won a lot of close matches against him and that was probably the best one and in the biggest tournament."
Wimbledon is a bigger tournament than the Masters Cup, but, then again, Murray is a bigger player than he was in the Masters Cup. He is fitter, stronger and vastly more experienced than he was back in November. These days he can leave the rest of the country to dream of home-grown champions. Murray knows he has the ability to win. And he thinks this might just be the moment to prove it.
Serving up an insight into Britain's best player since Fred PerryTHE PREPARATION
Compared with his winter training regime, the week running up to Wimbledon has been the proverbial stroll in the park for Murray.
Winning the curtain raiser at the Queen's Club last Sunday was a bonus for the World No3 – his main intention was to get grass court practice before SW19. Last week brought a combination of on-court time on the Wimbledon practice courts and off-court conditioning in the gym.
The key period for Murray's brutal fitness regime is December when he decamps to Florida with his back-up team for intense weeks of physical training in the heat.
It involves weight training to build up muscle and power, working the legs, shoulders, biceps and back to improve serving speeds and smashing. Last year he put on half a stone of bulk to add to the considerable improvements of winter 2007.
Sprint training is also part of the package. This involves 20 gruelling sprints over 100 metres, one after another. Then there is Bikram Yoga in 40ºC heat – he works on 26 different postures – allowing him to do deeper stretches to improve flexibility.
He celebrated his win at Queen's with a curry and no beers, and on Friday is believed to have enjoyed a go-karting trip with friends, a belated gift from last month's 22nd birthday.
TEAM MURRAY
Coach: Miles MacLagan
Nicknamed "Smiles", 34-year-old MacLagan is Murray's permanent coach and also acts as personal assistant, making sure the Murray bandwagon runs smoothly, making travel arrangements and paying bills.
Fitness coach No 1: Matty Little
Little is credited with bulking up Murray's naturally thin frame and boosting his leg strength. He also devises Murray's warm-up and warm-down regime before and after matches.
Fitness coach No 2: Jez Green
Green is behind Murray's speed-training, aimed at sharpening his reflexes and making him faster on court. He persuaded Murray to try Bikram Yoga to improve endurance in hot conditions.
Physiotherapist: Andy Ireland
The vastly experienced Ireland is in charge of Murray's body conditioning, administering massage and physiotherapy to ward off or ease aches and pains and keeping him free of injury.
THE EARNINGS POTENTIAL
Celebrity agent Max Clifford estimates Murray will earn around £100 million in the next five years, making him one of the biggest earners in world sport.
"He's just below the summit of Mount Everest," said Clifford. "If he wins Wimbledon he's there. That's the ultimate prize for any tennis player, but if you are British it is that extra, magical five per cent. Winning it will make him the richest tennis player we have ever had, and if he wins it this year that will just accelerate the money-earning process."
He isn't doing too badly without the Wimbledon crown. Murray has already earned £6m in prize money and has a range of sponsorships and endorsements worth a further £15m with Fred Perry, Highland Spring and RBS. His management company, Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment, has plans for academies and major business initiatives. His personal manager, Simon Oliveira, also looks after David Beckham.
THE IMAGE
Last Monday, a clean-cut Murray was resplendent in a retro range of tennis outfits designed by the Fred Perry company, which he will wear at Wimbledon. It was a far cry from his almost-grungy image when he first entered the professional circuit as a teenager in baggy shirts, headband and wild, curly hair.
His transformation is partially credited to Stuart Higgins, a former tabloid editor turned PR guru who worked with Murray in 2008.
Clifford said: "He's learning that as talented as he undoubtedly is, the more popular he is the greater his earning potential. He has also looked at Nadal and Federer and the way they handle themselves at all times with dignity. Because he respects them as tennis players, they are great role models, particularly Federer who is a few years older."
THE FAMILY
The Mum
When he won the Queen's last Sunday, the first person Murray rushed up to chastely peck on the cheek – he doesn't do displays of emotion – was his mother Judy. A former tennis player herself who represented Scotland at the 1981 World Student Games, she was his first coach and is now on the payroll as a key adviser on sponsorship deals. She never misses a match.
The Girlfriend
Kim Sears is just 21, but is credited with being the calming influence on the volatile young Murray. She was "outed" as his girlfriend when he won his first tour title in San Jose in 2006, and as the daughter of Nigel Sears, head of women's tennis at the Lawn Tennis Association, understands the pressures of life on the circuit. She joins him on tour when she can, but is happy to stay at home at the couple's luxury flat in Wandsworth, south London. Last week she was supervising their move to a bigger home in Surrey.
The Dad
Murray was nine years old when his parents split up, but father Will has been ever-present in his life. He regularly attends tournaments to watch Murray and his brother Jamie. "For me, as a parent, I am just so delighted that my two sons are doing something that they enjoy and are good at," he says. He still lives in the Murray's home town, Dunblane, with his long-term partner Samantha.
FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF…
Fred Perry, the last British player to win Wimbledon in 1936 to follow victories in 1934 and 1935, one of only six men to win all four Grand Slam crowns and the greatest player in British history. It was said of the pipe-smoking Perry that he was "a tennis player who dresses as well as he makes his shots". Highest world ranking: No 1 in 1934.
Roger Taylor, who reached the Wimbledon semi-finals three times in 1967, 1970 and 1973. Highest world ranking: 11 in 1973.
John Lloyd, who won the Wimbledon mixed doubles twice with Wendy Turnbull but never managed to get past the third round at the singles. Highest world ranking: No21 in 1978.
The half-Canadian Greg Rusedski, who made it to a Wimbledon quarter final in 1997. Highest world ranking: No4 in 1997.
Wimbledon darling Tim Henman got to the semis four times, in 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2002. Highest world ranking: No4 in 2002.
