Spirited start for Murray, Djokovic
FORMER world No 1s Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic are relishing their return to competition after serious injuries cut their previous campaigns short, but the overriding aim for both players next year is to stay fit and healthy.
Murray, who has struggled with a persistent hip injury since the Briton’s quarterfinal exit at Wimbledon in July, pulled out of the US Open and dropped to 16th in the world rankings.
The 30-year-old is scheduled to participate in the Brisbane International, which starts on Sunday, as he gears up for the Australian Open, but a season blighted by injury has changed the double Wimbledon champion’s outlook.
“When I was fit and healthy last year, you think about winning all the major events, getting to number one and winning every competition that you are in, and that is what drives you,” Murray told Sky Sports.
“When you miss four or five months and there has been a bit of uncertainty about my hip [that changes].
“The goals change and I remember now how much I loved playing tennis – it isn’t about winning every match I play in the future or winning more slams.
“I want to get back to playing tennis, I want to be fit and healthy and that is what is driving me now.
“I was pretty unhealthy for most of this year and I am getting there, but it is a slow process.”
Djokovic suffered a year-long dip in form before an elbow injury forced him to retire in the Wimbledon quarterfinals.
The Serb has not played competitively since, and underwent surgery.
“It’s been a real roller-coaster ride for me for a year-and-a-half with this issue,” world No 12 Djokovic told Sport360 ahead of his return at the World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi.