Andy Murray explained how he was ‘ripped’ by Bjorn Borg while having dinner with the Swede and Roger Federer. The Scot is in London preparing to represent Team Europe for the first time at the Laver Cup alongside great rivals Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
While speaking to the media, the three-time major winner, 35, revealed he had dinner with the Swiss Maestro and team captain earlier this week. This was the first time Murray had spent some time with Borg, and the former world number one conceded he was the butt of most of the jokes.
“I went for dinner with Roger and Bjorn last night and Bjorn was ripping me for most of the dinner,” Murray said. “To be honest, I have never really met him before, so that started for me last night.”
Murray was interviewed alongside Djokovic, who mentioned the two-time Wimbledon winner paid for the bill, which Federer and Borg took full advantage of. “I took care of the bill as well,” he added. “And, when they knew I was taking care of the bill, they started ordering more, and desserts and all sorts.”
In a moment never seen before in tennis and likely never to be seen again, Murray practiced with his fellow icons yesterday afternoon ahead of the Laver Cup beginning this evening. The raucous crowd were treated to some doubles action as Nadal and Federer, who will take on Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe tonight, played some practice points against Murray and Djokovic.
This year’s Laver Cup is a historic one for several reasons, especially with it due to mark Federer's last ever tournament. Murray, on the other hand, has confirmed that he won't be looking to retire for a "few years". He hasn't played since exiting the US Open in the third round, marking down the Laver Cup as his return to action.
His first match will take place on Friday night against Alex de Minaur and the Brit has no concerns over his fitness levels and even indicates that he doesn't plan to retire in the near future. "It's alright, I'm getting on a bit now but my body still feels alright. I'll try myself to keep going and hopefully got a few more years left in me," he said.
Murray added: "Yeah, I mean, for me the last few years, yeah, I think as you get older as athletes and with some of the physical issues, yeah, you do think about, you know, what if or when should you stop and when is the right moment and how would you like it to be.” The former world number one admitted hearing of Federer’s impending retirement does make him think of how he would call time on his own career, but he is pleased to see the Swiss Maestro bow out on his own terms.
"It's impossible to know, I think,” the double Olympic champion continued. “But this, to me, I don't know -- maybe it doesn't feel the same way for Roger, but I think it feels right, like, seeing him and Rafa on the same side of the net together and finishing their careers as a team in this event with, you know, Bjorn on the side of the court, John McEnroe there, Rod Laver in the stands. It is going to be a really cool way to end an incredible career. I have thought about it myself, but I don't think there's many better ways to go out than like this."
