Ace urges on Murray
NOVAK Djokovic has said he “sincerely hopes” Andy Murray can continue his comeback from hip surgery and return to the upper echelons of tennis.
Briton Murray contemplated retirement this season before having a career-saving hip resurfacing operation.
But the three-time grand slam champion this month claimed his first ATP title since March 2017 with victory over Stan Wawrinka in Antwerp.
“I sincerely hope so. I hope that he can be in contention for the top spots because tennis would profit from that and benefit,” said world No.1 Djokovic before his bid for a recordextending fifth Paris Masters title this week.
“We know how big of a legacy he left behind and he is still creating for himself.
“Knowing what he has been through in the last three years, it was really nice to see him win a title after a long time. And only he knows the adversities that he had to face — physically, but also mentally.”
The 32-year-old Murray, who became world No.1 at the 2016 Paris Masters, will play for Britain at the Davis Cup finals in Madrid next month.
Djokovic took a hiatus in 2017 himself to recover from a long-standing elbow injury before bouncing back to win two grand slam titles in each of the past two years.
“I know the discipline and the ethics that he (Murray) has and how hardworking he is, so he definitely deserves it,” said the Serbian. “And I would definitely wish him all the best.”
Murray is not playing in the French capital, while Djokovic will open his campaign with a second-round match against either compatriot Dusan Lajovic or French lucky loser Corentin Moutet.