Andy Murray knows all about having his heart broken by Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open, and he expects the Serb to break a few more before he is done.
The 36 year-old Scot lost five Melbourne finals to his oldest rival and, although there are a few questions over the champion’s fitness, Murray reckons that ultimately he will still see off his more youthful challengers in the next few weeks.
The victory of Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon, and Italian Jannik Sinner beating Djokovic three times in November (once in doubles) have excited thoughts that his dominance might be more under threat as he goes for an eleventh Australian title.
Murray – who lost an exhibition match to Marin Cilic on Wednesday 6-3 7-5 – urges caution to those believing that this could be the year when the established order might be overturned by a young group that also includes another with wins over Djokovic, Holger Rune.
‘A lot of people were saying that after Wimbledon and it didn’t really (happen),’ said Murray.
Andy Murray enters the Australian Open knowing his fate is up in the air having not been seeded
The former World No 1 backed Novak Djokovic to continue his dominance at the Australian Open
Carlos Alcaraz was the only player other than Djokovic to win a Grand Slam last year – beating the Serb in five in a thrilling final
‘Novak won three slams and lost a five-set epic final at Wimbledon. I still believe that he’s the favourite going in, he still looks great but I would imagine it probably doesn’t get easier.
‘The Davis Cup matches or the ATP Tour Finals are important events, of course they are, and I’m sure for Sinner or some of the younger guys that helps like with their belief when they go on court against him.
‘But I know that when the Australian Open rolls around that it’s not going to be easy for those guys to win against Novak in a huge match, because some of them are trying to do it for the very first time, and win a Major for the very first time.
‘Alcaraz was in that position going into Wimbledon where he had won a major already and that was against Casper (Ruud) who had also never won one. Not easy when you’re trying to win your first and you’re playing against the guy who’s won 24 times. It’s a very different mentality I think.’
Like everyone else Murray is waiting to hear what draw he would get on Thursday, and he will be at the mercy of fate again as he is outside the 32 seeds.
He is aware that he would have been inside that magic number, had he been able to close out some of the close matches that got away all too often last season.
‘You could argue for me that was the case last year, but I was also playing rubbish and when you’re not playing well, it’s not as easy to win matches,’ he reasoned.
‘When you’re playing well if you’re confident in your game, it becomes easier. If your ranking drops and you’re probably not winning as many matches and you get in those situations, you don’t cope with them as well.
the 36-year-old Scotbelieves that he has made improvements to his game in the off season
However the three-time Grand Slam winner lost an exhibition match to Marin Cilic on Wednesday 6-3 7-5
‘But let’s see. If I put myself in those situations, it’s always been one of the better parts of my game. I never had an issue with that in my career, and last year, I felt like I was not serving well when it came to serving for matches, I was not getting many free points, ending up in long rallies. Just not feeling comfortable on the court.
‘So hopefully with some improved serving and feeling a bit better about my game, when I put myself in those situations, it goes well. I think I’ve made improvements in the off season.’
It is not easy to read much into exhibition matches, and in breezy conditions he and Cilic played well enough at the Kooyong Classic, at the former home of the Open out in the Melbourne suburbs.
Murray, who spent much of December training in Dubai, reached the third round a year ago after dramatic wins over Matteo Berrettini and Thanasi Kokkinakis. He does not reckon he is owed anything by the Australian Open, despite his agonising near misses.
‘I don’t really believe in that to be honest. I’ve had great moments here. Obviously disappointed to lose five Australian Open finals, but my record here has been incredible over the years.
Murray lost five times in the Australian Open final against Djokovic, one of his oldest rivals
The Serbian has won 24 Grand Slam singles titles – with 10 of those coming at the Australian Open
‘I’ve played some of my best tennis here and unfortunately the finals that I played against Novak, they certainly weren’t easy matches to win. I would probably have liked to have played someone different in those.’
Jack Draper exacted a measure of revenge for his defeat in the Davis Cup quarter finals when he beat Miomir Kecmanovic to make the last eight of the Adelaide International.
Draper, one of the more dangerous floaters in the Australian Open draw, saved two match points in the second set tiebreak before prevailing over the Serb 5-7 7-6 7-6 in a match that lasted three hours and 39 minutes.
Five British players have made it through to the second round of Australian Open qualifying: Ryan Peniston, Billy Harris, Oliver Crawford, Harriet Dart and Francesca Jones.