Andy is the No1 target says Novak

NOVAK DJOKOVIC has warned Andy Murray that staying as the world No1 is not as simple as it looks.

Today, the Scot will take on Borna Coric for a place in the quarter-finals of the Mutua Madrid Open.

Last year, Murray reached the final in the Spanish capital, a result that was to be a launch pad for his rise to the top.

Over the next seven months, he mopped up nine titles – including Wimbledon and Olympic gold – to establish himself as the best player in the world.

Now he has it all to do again to maintain that top spot. And that is why Djokovic has handed out his warning: Murray is there to be hunted down. “You have Rafa Nadal coming back now, playing at a very high level,” said Djokovic. “Roger Federer as well. The other players, young players, who are coming up, they’re very hungry.

“When you’re at the top, you always feel like you’re being chased, like someone wants to take away that spot from you, which is normal. That’s how it works.

“Right now I’m not in that spot. I still feel as motivated as ever to get back on it.”

Djokovic should know what he is talking about. He has spent a total of 223 weeks as No1 and when he was overtaken by Murray at the start of November last year, he had been the top dog for 122 consecutive weeks.

The Serb first took his place at the top in 2011 over the final weekend of Wimbledon.

Getting to the final guaranteed him the top ranking but beating Nadal to win his first title in SW19 was like having every dream come true at once.

And yet there was no letdown, no hint of complacency.

“I actually felt even more motivated after that to keep going and try to make history, to get as many good results as possible and maintain that No1 position,” he said.

For Djokovic, who scrapped his way past Nicolas Almagro 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 to reach the third round yesterday, the first taste of success made him hungrier than ever, but he knows that not everyone is the same. That said, he believes that Murray is more than capable of hanging on to his ranking for a while yet. “There are no general terms or formula for every player,” said Djokovic.

“Andy right now is there and deservedly so. He’s dealing with that fantastically. He’s well known around the tour for his work ethic. The hard work pays off. He is obviously a very experienced player.”

Djokovic’s win in Madrid was his first since shaking up his coaching team, with coach Marian Vajda, fitness coach Gebhard Phil Gritsch and physio Miljan Amanovic all departing his set-up.

Nadal had to fight as if his life depended upon it to get the better of Fabio Fognini yesterday in his 7-6, 3-6, 6-4 victory.

Today, Nadal takes on Nick Kyrgios, who beat Ryan Harrison 6-3, 6-3.

We’re all chasing him down