Tennis star Frances Tiafoe has lavished praise on Andy Murray and said he has more respect for the Briton than he does for Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
The American admits his comments sound ‘crazy’ but he’s made it clear just how highly he rated the 37-year-old.
Murray is set to play at Wimbledon for the last time, with the former world No 1 poised to retire after the Paris Olympics.
He has won the golden trophy twice over the years, with the Scot beating Novak Djokovic and Milos Raonic in finals in 2013 and 2016 respectively.
Wimbledon: Andy Murray is currently preparing to play at the competition for the last time
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And Murray also claimed Olympic gold while playing at SW19 in 2012.
Tiafoe has nothing but positive things to say about the Briton, insisting he has more respect for Murray then he does for Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.
He also believes British tennis fans should ‘worship the ground he walks on’ given everything he’s achieved throughout his career.
Tiafoe told The Telegraph: “It’s going to sound crazy but out of all the big four, I probably have the most respect for that guy.
“When you think about his career, his love for the game, being resilient, staying with it – this guy has lost in semis, finals and continued to come back – until he did it.
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“He won the Olympics [2012 and 2016], won two Wimbledons.
“Before he won the US Open, everyone was saying ‘Is he ever going to win a slam? Is it really a big four?’
“You guys should worship the ground this guy walks on.
“He’s put his body on the line, played with a metal hip.
“He doesn’t need to do it. He’s got millions in the bank but he just loves the game and can’t live without it.
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“To see him and everything he’s achieved, I’ve got the utmost respect for him.
“It’s been amazing to have him message me and want the best for me, he didn’t have to do that.
“He’s a guy I looked up to growing up, we have a great relationship and I hope he plays so that he gets his flowers and we send him off the right way.”
Murray will open his Wimbledon campaign against Tomas Machac on Tuesday.
He admits he’s still struggling to walk after recently having surgery on his back.
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Wimbledon: Frances Tiafoe has lavished praise on Andy Murray
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But the two-time Wimbledon champion is prepared to risk his fitness in order to take part in the competition.
“I need to be able to move properly, which I can’t yet, so let’s see in 48 hours or so,” he said.
“I don’t know, tough to know how it’s going to progress, really.
“Always when you get surgeries done, generally you get multiple opinions.
Wimbledon: Andy Murray is prepared to ‘risk’ playing despite injuring his back at Queens
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“I wasn’t told that it was going to be 10 days either, but … There are risks associated with what I’m trying to do and I’m willing to take that to try and play.”
Murray and Machac have met twice already this year.
And the 23-year-old won both of those meetings in Miami and Marseille respectively.
