Murray coping with pressure at the top

BANGKOK, Oct 3 (Reuters) Scottish teenager Andy Murray insists that despite his youth and combustible temperament, he can handle the pressure of tennis at the highest level.

The 19-year-old, ranked 19th in the world, says he does not care what people think about his approach and the only pressure he feels is what he puts upon himself.

''I cope with it well, the pressure is there but you have to decide if you worry what everyone else is saying or whether you concentrate on your own game,'' Murray told Reuters at last week's Thailand Open.

''The pressure I put on myself is harder to deal with than from other people. I try not to listen to them, what I demand of myself is what's important,'' said Murray, who started the 2005 season at 407 in the world rankings.

Murray confirmed his place as Britain's foremost player at Wimbledon in July when he knocked out Andy Roddick in straight sets, replacing Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski as the nation's biggest hope of winning the tournament for the first time in 70 years.

But with the weight of expectation upon his slender frame, he went out in the fourth round to Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis, and afterwards admitted it was one of his worst performances of the year.

He says Britain has a right to demand more from its tennis players.

HIGH EXPECTATION ''I didn't feel any pressure, sure I wanted to win Wimbledon, but expectation at home is something we have to deal with,'' he said.

''They take tennis seriously in Britain, they have the biggest tournament in the world. I would expect a Briton to win more often than every 70 years.''

The lanky Scot, who weighs in at just 68 kgs, says he is in no rush to start winning tournaments and is happy to wait for major titles. ''I want to win a grand slam, that's pressure on myself, but that's what I want,'' said Murray, who crashed out in straight sets to Henman in the first round in Bangkok.

''It doesn't have to come this year or next year, that's the goal I've set myself and I'm happy to wait for it.

''But that success won't come to me, I have to go after it. It will come, I know it.

''I have the potential to get deep into the grand slams and once you get that far, it's the mental strength that counts, it doesn't come down to the tennis.'' FIERY TEMPERAMENT Despite his fiery temperament, Murray believes he is in control of his emotions and says the odd outburst is part of his game.

''A lot of guys get frustrated, but you have to be yourself,'' he said.

''The best matches I've played are when I've been fired up and pumped up. I just have to keep it in check, not get angry at important times.

''People in England complained that Tim (Henman) hadn't shown enough emotion, and I come along and show emotion and some people say it's a bad thing.'' Murray is now being coached by no-nonsense American Brad Gilbert, who took Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi to number one in the world.

''Things are working out with Brad. We just need two or three top coaches like him to teach younger coaches,'' he said.

''You can't just walk into a profession and be good, you have to learn, you can't just come in and coach a top player.'' He says at 19, time is definitely on his side and he has plenty of opportunity to work on his game.

''I could have 12 or 13 years left in me,'' he said. ''I have a long time to add things to my game, better shots, get quicker.

Reuters