Murray vies with Raonic for Wimbledon supremacy

Andy Murray takes on Milos Raonic on Sunday in the Wimbledon men’s singles final in a showdown that will highlight their differing ambitions.Murray, 29, is seeking his third Grand Slam title and his second Wimbledon crown. Raonic, 25, will be attempting to claim his first major.

Andy Murray won two Grand Slam tournaments while Ivan Lendl (behind) was his coach between 2012 and 2014. Reuters/Toby Melville

Victory on Centre Court would endorse Murray’s decision to link up again with Ivan Lendl as coach. During their first stint together, Murray won the 2012 Olympic gold, the 2012 US Open and Wimbledon in 2013. Since Lendl departed in 2014, there have been Grand Slam finals but they’ve all resulted in losses to Novak Djokovic.

After Djokovic claimed the French Open in June at Murray's expense, the Briton persuaded Lendl to return.

Murray has reeled off 11 successive victories and won a record fifth Queen's Club crown. On the first Sunday in July 2016, he is on the cusp of becoming the first British man to win multiple Wimbledon titles since Perry in the 1930s.

Raonic has drafted in former Wimbledon champion John McEnroe for the grass court season to help him spruce up his net play behind a powerful service. The Canadian also has former world number one Carlos Moya as his full-time coach. "Milos has been waiting for this for a long time," said McEnroe. “He is one of the few guys who says I want to be the best in the world and win majors. He has the game where he can take the racquet out of anyone's hands."

Under McEnroe and Moya’s aegis, Raonic’s aim will be to add a new name to the Wimbledon trophy. Since 2003 only Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic or Murray have won the title. Federer has the lion’s share of the triumphs with seven.
Raonic came from behind to beat the Swiss in five sets in the semi-final. By contrast Murray breezed past the 10th seed Tomas Berdych in straight sets.

Murray is one of the best returners on the circuit. Raonic has one of the best serves in the game. Murray has the experience and also a partisan crowd.