Murray targets sixth Queen’s victory

Andy Murray will look to rediscover career-best form on grass at Queen’s and Wimbledon, where title sweeps in 2016 provided important markers in his eventual rise to world No.1.

Murray is one of just seven players to complete the Queen’s and Wimbledon double, joining John McEnroe ( 1981, ’84), Jimmy Connors (’82), Boris Becker (’85), Pete Sampras (’95, ’99), Lleyton Hewitt (2002) and Rafael Nadal (2008).

Also the only man to win five titles at the prestigious event, Murray’s focus on a sixth win is intensified by an awareness of a potential deadline on his career achievements.

Having recently celebrated his 30th birthday, the world No.1 admitted the urgency to “make the most” of every tournament.

“My coach Ivan Lendl was still competitive at the top until he was about 32 but, generally, over the past 20 to 30 years, normally by early 30s is when players have struggled to stay at the top,” he told BBC Sport.

“I know some of the players have been doing really well until their mid-30s recently, but that might not be the case with me. Maybe the next couple of years are the last few where I have a chance to compete for the majors and the biggest tournaments.”

At Queen’s the challenge for the Scot begins with a first-round meeting against countryman Aljaz Bedene, before a potential showdown with Sam Querrey, who famously ousted Novak Djokovic at 2016 Wimbledon.

Murray, who has a significant amount of points to defend on grass, could meet Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarterfinals.

Milos Raonic, runner-up to the Scot at both grass court events in 2016 , faces wildcard recipient Thanasi Kokkinakis in the first round.

Second seed Stan Wawrinka has a challenging first round opponent in Feliciano Lopez, who has underlined his grass form with a finals run in Stuttgart.

Grigor Dimirov meets Ryan Harrison first, while Nick Kyrgios faces American Donald Young.