Andy Murray insists the fear of hitting his final shot at Wimbledon is driving his bid to claim a third championship success.
The unseeded Scot will now face American John Isner in the second round on Wednesday after recovering from falling a set behind to Australian James Duckworth to win in four sets inside a typically emotionally charged centre court. It ended with the Scot rolling back the years to deliver a virtuoso performance of power and aggressive ground strokes which wore down his opponent and lined up a meeting with Isner.
Murray admits at 35-years-old he's living in the last chance saloon of a glittering career and is determined to squeeze every last drop of sweat out of his body in the challenges which lie ahead. He said: “I am getting on a bit now. I don’t know how many opportunities I will get here so I want to make the most of it every time. I will hopefully get another match here in a couple of days.
“It was amazing to be back here in front of a full crowd after last year. It was an amazing atmosphere.
“I did well to regroup after the first set. He likes to play on the grass. He has come back from hip surgery in January. He was playing very well. Once I managed to find my returns, I felt more comfortable. I did well to get through."
Murray showed a stomach injury sustained in reaching the final of the Stuttgart Open a few weeks ago has recovered even if his nerves started to play up against the Aussie.
He said: "There is always nerves and pressure and butterflies and stress before the first round. I had a longer buildup because of the abs injury in Stuttgart.
“It was great to get out there and get a win under my belt and hopefully play better from here on in."
There was also centre court success for British number one Emma Raducanu who made a winning start to her first Wimbledon as a Grand Slam champion with a straight-set victory over Alison van Uytvanck.
The 19-year-old overcame a nervy start to overcome the Belgian 6-4 6-4 and banish any doubts over her fitness after having stomach issues in the build-up to the tournament
It was an impressive show of composure and maturity from the teenager who now meets French former world number four Caroline Garcia tomorrow.
Cameron Norrie began the British charge at Wimbledon by becoming the first home player to win after a rain-interrupted start to the opening day.
British men's number one Cameron Norrie racked up a 6-0 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 win against Spain's Pablo Anduja as the ninth seed attempts to reach the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time.
The 26-year-old has lined up a test against another Spaniard in the shape of Jaume Munar.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic began his quest for a fourth successive title began with a four-set victory over South Korean and world number 81 Kwon Soon-woo 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4.
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