The Sport Matrix: Tuesday 09 July 2013

Lendl convinced conqueror Murray is the best around

Ivan Lendl, Andy Murray’s coach, indicated that he believes there is currently nobody better than the 26-year-old, despite the post-Wimbledon rankings showing that the Scot is still not officially the world’s best player.

Even with the boost of his 2,000 ranking points for winning Wimbledon, Murray is still nearly 3,000 behind Novak Djokovic.

Lendl added that Murray’s victory owed something to the experience of playing in last year’s final, when he lost to Roger Federer.

“If he hadn’t played last year’s final then he wouldn’t have been prepared that well [this time],” Lendl said.

“I think it was a great experience to have. Any time you play a major finals and you get that experience I think it’s very important.”

Murray was cheered into No 10 as the Prime Minister, David Cameron, invited the newly crowned champion to a reception at Downing Street yesterday.

THE NEXT ANDY MURRAY?

Kyle Edmund (18, world No 406)

Oliver Golding (19, world No 514)

Luke Bambridge (18, world No 845)

Liam Broady (19, world No 863)

Saker: We should win Ashes easily

England bowling coach David Saker is convinced his side will win the Ashes “with ease” ahead of the first Test at Trent Bridge tomorrow. “If we score the runs we’re capable of then we’ll win comfortably,” he said. “I think psychologically we’re in a much better place.”

Wallabies coach Deans ‘to be axed’

Robbie Deans’ failure to lead Australia to victory over the Lions is expected to result in the coach’s sacking today, reports in Australia suggest. Ewen McKenzie is in line to replace him. ARU head Bill Pulver said: “We need a brief cooling-off period to observe what happened.”

Spurs target Villa signs for Atletico

Tottenham Hotspur last night discovered that their top striking target, David Villa, had signed for Atletico Madrid. The Spain legend, who had always planned on leaving Barcelona this summer, has decided to stay in La Liga. Atletico will pay just £4.4million for him.

Suarez desperate to play in Europe

Liverpool were told face-to-face by Luis Suarez’s agent yesterday that the absence of European football at Anfield next season is one of the main reasons why the player wants to leave the club. Arsenal’s £20million bid for the Uruguayan striker was rejected last week.

Robson’s landmark rise into the top 30

Laura Robson’s run to the fourth round at Wimbledon has lifted her to 27th in the world, the first time a British woman has been inside the top 30 since 1987. Roger Federer has dropped to world No 5, his lowest position in over a decade.

Hamilton claims Murray has it easy

Lewis Hamilton reckons winning Wimbledon is easier than driving F1 cars because Andy Murray only has a tennis racket to control. “I’m in a different position to Murray,” said Hamilton. “He’s been very solid, but it’s just him and his racket.”

Ponting struggles in farewell match

Australia legend Ricky Ponting made 29 from 68 balls in his penultimate first-class innings as Surrey were bowled out by Nottinghamshire for 198 on the opening day of the County Championship First Division match at The Oval.

Pardew: I will have say over transfers

Alan Pardew has claimed for the first time that he will have seniority over Newcastle’s new director of football Joe Kinnear in the transfer market. “I’m my own man and I will manage this football club to the best of my ability,” said Pardew.

Brailsford admits Sky have frailties

Dave Brailsford, Team Sky’s director, admits a repeat of Sunday’s collective collapse in the Pyrenees could happen again over the next two weeks. Sky’s Chris Froome leads the Tour going into stage 10 today.

James Lawton

As thousands jammed beneath the balcony to see Murray lift the fabled trophy, it was not so hard to see the link between the new British Wimbledon champion and the last one, Fred Perry.