‘Sir Andy’ seeks end to Australian Open agony

Having snatched Novak Djokovic’s world number one ranking in a thrilling late-season raid, Andy Murray will bid to storm the Serb’s Melbourne Park fortress and capture an elusive Australian Open title after five agonising near misses. Murray enters the year’s first grand slam in unknown territory. He is rated as top seed for the first time in his 12th campaign and with a 'Sir’ in front of his name as the recipient of a knighthood from Britain’s New Year’s honours list. The Scot also brings the knowledge that 10 years of hard graft to reach the summit of the men’s game could end in a heartbeat if defending champion Djokovic has his way.

I’d say Novak Djokovic is still the biggest threat to the number one ranking.

Andy Murray

Djokovic joined Roy Emerson as the most successful men’s champion at the Australian Open last year and can take sole possession of the record with a seventh crown, having won in 2008, 2011-13 and 2015-16. Murray is saddled with a less enviable record, having become only the second man in the professional era to lose five finals at a single grand slam when defeated last year.

His record in Australia is incredible. He has won it six times and won a number of finals against me too so I’m expecting him to play very well there.

Andy Murray

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