LONDON: Swedish tennis legend Bjorn Borg is backing British star Andy Murray to win a Grand Slam in 2009 and end a national drought going back to Fred Perry in 1936.
Murray lost the US Open final to Swiss world No 2 Roger Federer but Borg told the BBC on Wednesday that the 21-year-old Scot, ranked fourth in the world, was destined to bag a major prize in the coming months.
"I said last year Andy Murray was going to be a great player," said Borg. "Everybody was a little bit sceptical when I said that. But look at what Andy has been producing this year.
"He is improving his physical condition and his mental aspect," Borg told BBC Radio Five Live.
"I pick Federer, Nadal and Murray to win Grand Slam tournaments next year," said Borg, who landed five Wimbledon and six French Open crowns between 1974 and 1981 to become a global sporting icon.
Murray has won five tournaments this year and he is now out to deny the likes of Federer the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai starting Sunday.
Borg says 2009 should be a great year for the game.
"I really enjoy watching Federer and Nadal and Murray - it's great rivalries and that's why I say next year is going to be very interesting for world tennis."
Murray continues to be out on his own in the British men's game with the country's No 2 player, Alex Bogdanovic, ranked 184.
Borg's long-time adversary from the late 1970s and early 1980s, John McEnroe, likewise backed Murray earlier in the week.
"When Andy Murray first came on the scene three or four years ago you heard people say that he could win 'majors', and he's putting all that together now," said McEnroe, three-time Wimbledon singles champion in the 1980s.
"What I love the most is how incredibly well he's moving," the left-hander added.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
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