Murray says don't believe the hype

By Pritha Sarkar

LONDON (Reuters) - If there is one lesson Andy Murray has learnt quickly about being a British tennis player it is not to get caught up in the hype that surrounds Wimbledon.

For years Murray watched from the sidelines as Tim Henman was urged by the fans and the media to end Britain's long wait for a men's champion at the All England Club.

Despite four semi-finals, Henman never managed to follow in the footsteps of Fred Perry -- the last home-grown men's champion who won his third Wimbledon crown in 1936.

Once Henman retired in 2007, the baton of expectation was passed to Murray and, with the Scot now ranked third in the world, there is real anticipation that he could succeed on the hallowed Wimbledon turf this year.

Murray, though, is keen to block any outside influence.

"It's all a hype thing. If you get caught up in it, then it becomes an issue," said Murray, who Sunday could become the first British man to win the Queen's Club title in 71 years.

"A problem a lot of people in this country have is expecting huge things, thinking that it's just going to happen.

"It would be easy to start thinking ahead and letting the pressure and expectations get to you, but if you just stay focussed on what your job is that's not a problem for me.