Murray banking on yoga to win Australian Open final
By ANISunday, January 31, 2010
MELBOURNE - British tennis star is banking on yoga and the influence of his new manager Simon Fuller to win the Australian Open final against Swiss Roger Federer.
Tennis insiders are of the view that Murray’s transformation could be put down to several factors, including the presence of Fuller and a new fitness regime based on Bikram Yoga, reports The Telegraph.
Thanks to his fitness consultants, Murray’s devotion to Bikram Yoga, the world’s fastest growing yoga, is complete. It is done in a room heated to 42C (107F) and is designed to increase flexibility and strength, and prevent and heal injuries.
Murray is attempting to become the first British tennis player to win a Grand Slam singles title after 74 years.
Many in the game were surprised last year when Murray signed up with Fuller’s 19 Entertainment rather than a global sports agency such as IMG, which has clients like Federer and Tiger Woods.
The pop impresario, who created the Spice Girls and manages David Beckham, Claudia Schiffer and Katy Perry, set about the rebranding of Murray with gusto when he won the contract.
He has given the player a new look, including a decent haircut and wardrobe of Adidas clothes. He has softened the Scottish phenomenon’s attitude to the media.
The 15-million pound five-year deal with Adidas, replacing a contract with Fred Perry, is part of a tough new commercial approach that will bring in promotional deals aimed at propelling Murray to global stardom.
His advisers were said to be aghast when they discovered that the shirts he wore were not available in the shops.
A Grand Slam win will turn Murray into one of Britain’s highest earning sportsmen, on target to make 50 million pounds a year.
Fuller insists that most of Murray’s improvement is down to his own extraordinary determination to become the world’s best tennis player. (ANI)
