It doesn't make any difference whether people expect you to win or not. It doesn't change my mentality.You get used to being expected to win matches when you play at Wimbledon. The pressure that comes with that gets you used to these situations.The older you get, the more matches you play, you realise what the bookies are saying doesn't make any difference once you get on court, whether they are saying good things or bad things. You just get on with your job.
The more you play against him the less fearful you are, you're not scared to win the match. If you're young and you play against the top guys, once you get close to winning you get nervous.Now when I play him I don't get nervous and if I play my best tennis I can beat him.
It has been so long since a British tennis player has won a slam. I'd love to win a grand slam, but it might not happen.You have to try to forget about all the history. It is not of benefit if you are going on the court worrying about those sort of things. You have to put them to the back of your mind.I do understand what a big deal it would be if someone from Britain did win a slam, but I'm still very young so I'm not putting any added pressure on myself to win this Australian Open.I'm going to enjoy being one of the favourites and give it my best. I've got a lot more grand slams to play. I'm really chilled out.
I've never minded heat too much but this temperature is a problem for everyone. Your feet burn on court and it's tough to catch your breath, but if you play on the bigger courts you usually get a bit of shade from the stadium so it's not too bad.I practised at one o'clock today and it was pretty grisly. Four hours in that heat is unbelievably tough.That's why you have to put in the work in December. But my game's coming together nicely. Very few people reach their peak in whatever they are doing at 21. That could still be two years away, but physically I'm in the best shape I could be.And if I play like I have been I've got a chance.
