ANDY SET TO RETURN

ANDY MURRAY flew into Abu Dhabi last night to build up his preparations for the Australian Open.

The British No.1 (right) will not play in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship staged in the emirate this week.

But the double Olympic champion plans to practise in the UAE for a couple of days before flying Down Under this weekend.

Murray, who has not played since Wimbledon because of a hip problem, still plans to play in the Brisbane International next week. The Australian Open begins on January 15. Rafa Nadal is also scheduled to play the warm-up event in Queensland, despite the world No.1 pulling out of Abu Dhabi with a knee injury. Murray has admitted his goals for 2018 have changed after an injury-hit season. He told said: “I want to be competing hard and trying to win the Australian Open and the other Grand Slams. But, first and foremost, I need to get healthy. “The goals change and it isn’t about winning every match I play. I want to get back to playing tennis, be fit and healthy, and that is what is driving me just now.”