Britain’s Andy Murray returns the ball to Russia’s Andrey Rublev (unseen) throughout the ultimate match of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship within the Gulf emirate of Abu Dhabi on December 18, 2021. (Picture by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)
Andy Murray believes he’s enjoying with extra “readability” and has a greater thought of how he must compete towards the highest gamers as he approaches the brand new season with renewed function and confidence.
The previous world No.1, all the way down to 134 within the rankings, had a optimistic weekend in Abu Dhabi, the place he claimed two victories over Dan Evans and Rafael Nadal earlier than shedding to Andrey Rublev within the ultimate of an exhibition event.
The 34-year-old Murray, who’s trying a comeback no participant with a steel hip has ever dared to embark on, struggled to seek out his greatest type towards the highest gamers final season, however completed 2021 with some promising outcomes, together with two top-10 triumphs over Hubert Hurkacz and Jannik Sinner.
“I really feel like now I’m lots clearer in my thoughts about how I’m going to play and the way in which I’m going to go about my matches within the subsequent yr,” Murray informed reporters in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
“Choice-making comes from having a transparent thoughts and readability about the way in which you wish to play and proper now I’m fairly positive on that and I imagine that may assist me within the necessary moments.”
Murray missed final February’s Australian Open after contracting Covid-19 and with the present surge in instances within the UK, the Scot is cautious of struggling an analogous destiny forward of subsequent month’s motion in Melbourne.
“Clearly it’s a priority,” he mentioned. “I wish to try to keep secure. Once I get dwelling, I’m going to do all of my bodily coaching at dwelling in my home and keep away from going to the nationwide tennis centre; there’s been plenty of instances there the final week to 10 days.”
Murray is anticipating to obtain a wildcard into the principle draw of the Australian Open – a event the place he has reached, and misplaced, 5 finals.
The Brit owns a powerful 48-13 win-loss document at Melbourne Park however has additionally skilled so many near-misses Down Beneath.
“I sort of really feel like I possibly should have an Australian Open, however I by no means obtained it carried out within the huge matches there,” he conceded.
“Obtained shut and was in good place a few instances, however couldn’t convert it, in order that’s one thing I clearly need to cope with. However my recollections from Australia, when it comes to how I really feel in regards to the place, I adore it there.”
Nadal non-committal on Australian Open
Murray, who just lately parted methods together with his coach of almost six years Jamie Delgado, has but to verify whether or not he’ll lengthen his trial interval with German coach Jan de Witt, who was with him in Abu Dhabi this week.
“I’m flying dwelling this night, could have a chat to the workforce, undergo how the week was. I feel total it was optimistic,” he mentioned.
In the meantime, Nadal leaves the UAE capital with two shut defeats to Murray and Denis Shapovalov, which have been his first aggressive matches since August. The Spaniard continues to be recovering from a power foot harm he aggravated six months in the past and is non-committal about his participation within the upcoming Australian Open.
“I would like to talk with my workforce. Being 100% trustworthy, I can’t assure 100%. The thought is to go there and take a look at my greatest there in Australia, that’s the purpose and that’s my thought,” revealed the 20-time main champion.
“However we have to come again, see how the physique feels after these couple of days then that’ll be the time to make selections. I am going day-to-day at this second of my profession and after all of the issues that I went by way of, I have to assume very properly of each motion.”
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