John McEnroe gives his thoughts ahead of the 2013 US Open.
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John McEnroe (Q: How different do you think the US Open will be for Andy Murray this year given that he is the defending Champion?)“Well it’s a different type of pressure. On the one hand, he’s done it so that’s amazing. But on the other hand, you’re sort of the hunted more than you were in the past and if you combine that with Wimbledon then I mean this is the first shot where he’s got a legitimate chance to finish number one and be number one for the year if he can get two Majors. So that’s a different type of approach and people are going to be gunning for him even more. I think he’s found that a little bit since playing Wimbledon. But he’s much tougher to beat in a best of five (sets) than he is in a best of three so he’ll be ready and I know that after winning Wimbledon and getting ready to defend the US Open that he’s trying to peak at that moment so it’s going to be interesting.”
John McEnroe (Q: And who is your pick to take the ladies title?)“Well I mean to me, when Serena (Williams) goes into any event she’s head and shoulders above anyone if she’s got her A game. As we all know, in sports, that doesn’t always happen and occasionally no matter how great you are, you get knocked off if you’re not playing your best. There are certainly players out there who have done that and can do it. (Victoria) Azarenka to me has the most confidence on a hard court and, besides Serena, has the best chance to me of going all the way. She’s been very close. Obviously last year she served for the match and she was right there. So I know I saw her recently and she’s definitely trying to prime for then. And (Maria) Sharapova was playing some great tennis for most of the year. I felt she played well when she lost to Serena at the French Open in the final but since then she’s sort of tailed off. So she’s got a lot of motivation to try to get her game back at the US Open. I think hard courts suit her very well”
