Team Murray stands behind British hope

By John Mehaffey

LONDON (Reuters) - Behind Andy Murray''s transformation from awkward adolescent to polished professional stands a back-up team designed to keep the 22-year-old Scot in peak physical and mental condition.

Team Murray were out in force on Thursday on the Wimbledon practice courts as the world number three limbered up for Friday''s semi-final against American Andy Roddick with the customary game of tennis-football.

A battery of cameras inside and outside the courts tracked every move of the man seeking to become the first British men''s champion since Fred Perry won his last title in 1936.

When the Briton''s fitness and recovery abilities came into question after a draining five-set victory over Richard Gasquet at Wimbledon last year was followed by a quarter-final rout to Rafa Nadal, Murray decided things had to change.

He honed his physique during the off-season in Miami with gym and track sessions.

The Miami conditioning sessions, dubbed the Winter Olympics, and including 100, 200 and 400 meters sprints, bench presses and the high jump, have turned Murray into the complete athlete.

"There was no torture I wouldn''t consider, including track work for the first time in my life," Murray said after assembling his conditioning team.

"We went to the gym, the track, the court, the yoga studio and despite that I still put on weight because I started to eat much more than I''d ever done. I could eat 42 pieces of sushi in one sitting."

Team Murray consists of his coach Miles Maclagan, fitness trainers, Jez Green and Matt Little, and physiotherapist Andy Ireland. Maclagan, who succeeded American Brad Gilbert, represented Britain in the Davis Cup.

They are joined at courtside on match days by Murray''s mother Judy, a former professional who coached Murray and his brother Jamie, and his girlfriend Kim Sears.

Throughout the Wimbledon fortnight, Murray has conducted himself with an impressive maturity on and off the court in the face of intense interest from the British media and the fans'' expectations. He attributes his new serenity to a changed environment.

"Your happiness off court makes a big difference to your tennis," Murray said after winning the pre-Wimbledon Queen''s grass court title.

"I love the guys I''m working with, I''ve still got the same friends and family I had five or six years ago and I''ve loved the last few years."

(Editing by Miles Evans; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)