Andy Murray is kicking off the new year with a new approach to his schedule.
The World No. 1 returns to the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha for the first time since 2014. Murray will open his 2017 season with a first-round match against Frenchman Jeremy Chardy. Having previously won in Doha 2008 and 2009, he’s experienced the benefits firsthand of how this event can help set him up for a successful season.
“One of the advantages is that it splits up the journey to Australia a little bit. You can fly direct pretty much to Melbourne from here. It’s very convenient, especially for the players from Europe, to sort of go halfway,” said Murray. “It’s worked well for a lot of the guys in the past that have gone on to do well in Australia.”
Murray is looking to continue his stellar form from 2016, which saw him win nine ATP World Tour events and pick up his third Grand Slam trophy at Wimbledon. The back end of his season was particularly impressive, with the Scot prevailing in his last five tournaments of the year. He defeated Novak Djokovic in the championship match at the ATP Finals to clinch the year-end No. 1 ranking.
But while the second half of Djokovic’s 2016 season didn’t meet the lofty standards he has set for himself, Murray said the Serbian can’t be counted out as a major contender to win the Australian Open or regain the top spot in the Emirates ATP Rankings.
“Obviously his record in Australia has been incredible. He’s won there six times and won a number of finals against me. I would expect him to play very well there,” said Murray. “In terms of the No. 1 ranking, I had a great four or five months at the end of last year and I still only got to No. 1 by one match at the end the year. So I know it will be very tough to stay there."
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Murray is also well aware that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will be looming and dangerous in their return to the ATP World Tour after long injury layoffs. With both men having prevailed Down Under in the past, the World No. 1 believes they are fully capable of moving back inside the top of the Emirates ATP Rankings.
“He loves the game. He's obviously a very gifted athlete. Very talented guy,” said Murray of Federer. “I would imagine after a few matches -- maybe it doesn't happen the first month of the year, but if he stays fit and healthy that first couple of months into the year, he'll be back to playing some great tennis again.”
“Rafa was a bit unlucky last year,” he added. “He was starting to play really well again during the clay-court season before he got his wrist injury. It’ll be interesting to see how he comes back.”