AEGON Championships: Murray Optimistic Over Wimbledon Chances
Andy Murray is refusing to panic despite defeat by Nicolas Mahut at Queens
Andy Murray believes his Wimbledon preparations have not been blighted by defeat to Nicolas Mahut at the Aegon Championships.
In his first match on grass this year, Murray was beaten 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-1) by world No.63 Mahut, in a match where the British No.1 never looked comfortable.
Murray may now use exhibition events at Stoke Park or the Hurlingham Club to continue his preparation for the third grand slam of the year.
"There is no need for me to panic," he said. "It takes a bit of time to adjust to the grass courts.
"I need a few days to get my movement right and then I'll play better."
"I'll discuss with the guys over the next couple of days as to what I'm going to do, whether I play one or two exhibition matches next week," he added.
"It's unlikely I would play a tournament but I'll probably try to get a couple more matches. I just need to spend more time on the grass."
Murray struggled with his movement against Mahut, who have never won a grass-court title in his career.
The Frenchman dominated the first set, before Murray hit back, but an emphatic display in the third set tie-break saw Mahut prevail.
The defeat is Murray's first since crashing out of the French Open at the hands of David Ferrer, and Wimbledon represents the Scot's next chance to claim his maiden grand slam victory in his eighth year as a professional.
Despite crashing out of an event he has won on two previous occasions after exits from Roland Garros, Murray says he shouldn't struggle to adapt for the remainder of the grass court season.
"I have never really had a problem with [the transition] before, but also that's probably one of the toughest first matches I've played here," continued the Scot.
"I did struggle with my movement, especially earlier on in the match. That's something that I will need to improve."
Mahut said: "It was a big advantage [playing on Tuesday]. This was his first match. It's never easy to start on the grass when you played two months on clay.
"Even if he had three or four practice days on the grass, it's not easy. I was ready to compete against a top player. Even if he's world number four, it's not easy to come on Centre Court with everyone expecting him to win."
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