Andy Murray has admitted it is "really hard to keep up with the new generation" ahead of Wimbledon.
This year's tournament starts on Monday, with Murray facing fellow Brit Ryan Peniston in the opening round. The two-time champion has not won the men's singles title at SW19 since 2016 due to a serious hip injury but is hoping to go far this time around.
Murray has won three ATP Challenger titles since the start of May and returned to the top 40 of the men's rankings for the first time since 2018. Although the British favourite is confident of success, he acknowledges the "wear and tear" on his body.
Speaking to The Times, Murray said: "It’s very different from your early twenties. Post-practice I would want to play five-a-side football. I would go go-karting and do those sorts of things away from the tennis court, whereas now, there’s no chance.
"I just can’t do that stuff any more. There are always aches and pains and niggles. There’s a lot of wear and tear. I’m still able to manage it, to a point, but it’s really hard to keep up with the new generation that comes through. Every generation tends to become quicker and faster and a little bit better than the one before."
Murray's comeback is remarkable considering he was planning to retire from professional tennis in 2019 due to injury. The Scot has recovered after having a hip resurfacing operation, in which the head of the femur (thigh bone) is covered with a metal cap.
Do you think Andy Murray can win Wimbledon? Let us know in the comments below!
That procedure should've signalled the end of Murray's career, but he's responded by winning tournaments and climbing the rankings. Wimbledon fans would love to see Murray win a third title at SW19 this year, although he will find that difficult.
The great Novak Djokovic is still dominating the men's game at the grand old age of 36 - winning a record 23rd Grand Slam title at last month's French Open - while exciting Spanish youngster Carlos Alcaraz is poised to win his maiden Wimbledon crown.
Alcaraz won his first title on grass last time out by beating Australian Alex de Minaur at Queen's. The 20-year-old goes into Wimbledon ranked No.1 in the world and has won a Grand Slam before after claiming last year's US Open title.
Murray and Djokovic have been preparing for Wimbledon by practising together. The two icons are good friends and reached the 2013 Wimbledon final, which Murray won in straight sets to become the first British men's winner at SW19 since Fred Perry in 1936.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Murray was bullish about his Wimbledon hopes. He said: "I think I do have a good chance, I don't think there are many players in the draw who have the experience that I have on grass courts.
"There are not many guys in the draw who I might play and think 'I can't win this'. Granted, it is going to be extremely difficult to get to the latter stages again, but I do believe I can do it. I'm in the right place physically and mentally right now."
