Andy Murray at Hopman Cup: “I Didn’t Feel Very Fit Today, Hopefully That Will Improve”

British star Andy Murray sent up a light warning flare Monday at the Hopman Cup. After beating Italian Potito Starache 75, 61, Murray questioned his own fitness level.

“I didn’t feel very fit today,” Murray said. “I was breathing so hard after four or five games. Hopefully that will improve over the next couple weeks. That’s the goal – to try and beat those guys in the big events, and try to win my first Grand Slam.”

It’s no secret temperatures in Melbourne can skyrocket well into the 100s, so could this be cause for concern for Murray who was a finalist there last year?

Tonight in Perth Murray and his Great Britain team play France. We’ll see if he feels any better and more acclimatized to the Australian heat.

Here’s the full presser from Murray at the Hopman Cup:

Q: Andy Murray is out here in Perth and it is a warm welcome.

A: It was a tough match today. It’s so hot and so humid in here – I was struggling a little bit with my breathing. It was a really good atmosphere and great, so thanks for the support.

Q: Well folks, Andy Murray flew all the way over here from Miami, Florida and that is a 13 hour time change. Have you got over the jetlag yet? Or are you just getting the jetlag?

A: Well I only arrived Saturday afternoon, so there’s not been a whole lot of time to get over it, but I felt ok. It’s going to take quite a few days to get used to it.

Q: You’re pretty happy with your form. Last year at the Hopman Cup you played some great tennis and went on to get to the final of the Australian Open.

A: Yeah last year I played great here, I played great in Australia and I think this tournament here in Perth is absolutely perfect preparation for the Aussie Open. I enjoy coming here. I think I played 8 matches last year and I think it’s good to get a lot of pints under your belt before the big one.

Q: Well you look pretty fit. You’ve been in the press and said you haven’t hit as many balls in practice – you’ve been working really on your fitness perhaps to try and get a little bit closer to Nadal and Federer. You’re very close at the moment, being number 4 for the last 3 years.

A: I didn’t feel very fit today – I was breathing so hard after four or five games. Hopefully that will improve over the next couple weeks. That’s the goal – to try and beat those guys in the big events, and try to win my first Grand Slam.

Q: Well last year you and Laura excited the crowd here in the mixed doubles. This is the Hopman Cup and its mixed doubles again. It’s one match a piece – so you’ve got to do it all again.

A: Yeah we actually won 3 of our 4 mixed last year. In the group stages all of them are at 1 all. I know Laura’s not been feeling particularly well, so hopefully we can play well again together because it’s great fun, the mixed.

Q: Well congratulations on a great effort and we look forward to your continued success during the week, and get ready for the mixed.